The enemy of my enemy is my friend ∙

The enemy of my enemy is my friend ∙∙

You boast, “We have made a covenant with death, And with Sheol we have made a pact. . The coming destruction can never touch us, for we have made falsehood our refuge and we have concealed ourselves with deception.” – Isaiah 28:15

Isaiah 28:16-18

 16 Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Zion, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.”

 17 “I will test you with the measuring line of justice and the plumb line of righteousness. Since your refuge is made of lies, a hailstorm will knock it down. Since it is made of deception, a flood will sweep it away.”

 18 “I will cancel the bargain you made to cheat death, and I will overturn your deal to dodge the grave. When the terrible enemy sweeps through, you will be trampled into the ground.”

A Lesson for America and Children of the King

There is an important lesson for America, specifically for the children of the King. Sometimes, we must put aside our disagreements and form coalitions for the greater good.

A Moment of Unity Amid Division

Consider what happened in Israel in 2019. Amid intense political mudslinging and accusations of “fake news,” political candidates found themselves at a standstill. Multiple elections were held, yet no candidate was able to form the majority coalition necessary to become prime minister. The nation was in turmoil. Then, something remarkable happened.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s acting prime minister, and Benny Gantz, his primary opponent, decided to compromise. Why?

Gantz’s Choice for Unity

Benny Gantz, head of the Blue and White party, declared, “I chose the only path possible at this time, a national emergency government!” Reflecting on the situation, he added, “We are facing one of the most serious challenges in the history of our country. It is a global challenge of exceptional magnitude, and it has hit Israel at a time of crippling political deadlock and unbearable divisions – a lethal combination. Leadership has never been more necessary. Leading has never been more difficult.”

Gantz continued, “As a soldier who has dedicated my life to protecting the State of Israel, I have vowed to carry my commitment to the country forward and inform my decisions as a political leader. At this time of crisis, I had no choice but to put politics aside and choose the only path that allows us to avoid a fourth election . . .. I chose the only path which positions Israel to effectively fight this horrific pandemic: the path of a national emergency government.”

He concluded with a powerful appeal for unity. “More than ever, Israel needs unity. Israel needs strong and capable leadership, able to relentlessly fight the coronavirus while protecting Israel’s democracy. And let me state clearly: No matter how fierce the battle, I will never compromise on democracy. I will never compromise on the principles underpinning the votes of the more than one million Israelis who voted for Blue and White.”

The Challenge of Trusting God

If there was ever a time that demanded wisdom, discernment, and reliance on the Father’s guidance, it is dealing with our enemies. However, this is not a new challenge. Throughout history, the Father has called His people to trust Him fully, even when circumstances appear dire.

We should trust the Father with all our hearts in every situation, depending on Him alone. Before the children of Israel entered the Promised Land, they received a stern warning. The Father provided them with clear reasons for being cautious and not entering into agreements with foreign nations.

Exodus 23:32-33 cautions: “Make no treaties with them or their gods. They will cause you to sin against me. If you serve their gods, you will be caught in the trap of idolatry.”

Yet despite these clear instructions, the Israelites disobeyed. They formed alliances, trusted in foreign powers, and spiraled into the worship of idols and false gods.

The Cost of Disobedience

The consequences of disobedience were disastrous, as seen in Isaiah 30 and Isaiah 28.

Isaiah 30:2-35: warns: “For without consulting me, you have gone down to Egypt for help. You have put your trust in Pharaoh’s protection. You have tried to hide in his shade. But by trusting Pharaoh, you will be humiliated, and by depending on him, you will be disgraced. All who trust in him will be ashamed. He will not help you. Instead, he will disgrace you.’”

Isaiah writes in Isaiah 28:15, “You boast, ‘We have struck a bargain to cheat death and have made a deal to dodge the grave. The coming destruction can never touch us, for we have built a strong refuge made of lies and deception.’”

In every case, the results were catastrophic.

A Call to Trust and Obedience

The Old Testament is filled with stories of God’s miraculous interventions on behalf of His people (Joshua 10:11-14).  These accounts remind us of the blessings that come from trusting and obeying Him. Yet, as children of the King, are we not guilty of repeating the same mistakes? Do we too often rely on our own plans, thinking they are better than God’s?

REFLECT & PRAY

It’s time to reflect on our trust in the Father. Too often, we think we have a “better idea” than the Father. Really?

Father, thank You for providing a firm foundation, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, upon which I can stand and never be shaken. When trials come, help me trust in You completely. I need not panic nor be disturbed. Remind me daily to believe in and depend on You and the perfect provision of the Lord Jesus Christ.

INSIGHT

Forming Alliances with Our Enemies

Sometimes, forming alliances with enemies is both wise and necessary when faced with a greater threat. However, this approach can be a double-edged sword, requiring discernment and measured action.

The Wisdom of “The Enemy of My Enemy”

The saying, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend,” is an ancient proverb that resonates through history. Many attribute its roots to principles from Sun Tzu’s The Art of War. It implies that opposing parties can find common ground to work together against a common enemy.

Winston Churchill exemplified this idea during World War II. When America and Great Britain allied with Russia to defeat Hitler, Churchill famously remarked, “If Hitler invaded Hell, I would make at least a favorable reference to the Devil in the House of Commons.” His statement captured the stark pragmatism of temporarily setting aside ideological differences for the greater good.

Divided Against Ourselves

An old story illustrates the foolishness of division among those who should be united. Once, several groups of Christians sought refuge in a fort during an attack by the enemy. The enemy bombarded the fort with rocks and small boulders. What did the beleaguered Christians do? Instead of coming together to defend themselves, they began throwing rocks at one another. It is all too easy and common to hurl stones at those we don’t entirely agree with, isn’t it?

How often do we fall into such behavior? Rather than joining forces, we focus on petty disagreements and aim our figurative stones at each other. It is both easy and common to criticize and quarrel over differences, but is it helpful?

Facing Greater Enemies

The children of the King face greater enemies than those found among their own ranks. The world, the devil, and the temptations of the flesh are formidable foes. Shouldn’t we set aside our divisions over non-essential practices or beliefs and confront these challenges together? Acting like quarreling children in a sandbox, fighting over toys, does nothing to advance His kingdom. It may be time to “put on our grown-up clothes,” act like adults, and recognize that we are members of the same body.

The Gift of Solitude

During the COVID-19 crisis, the world implemented drastic measures to address a global emergency. Terms like “social distancing,” “stay-at-home,” “shelter-in-place,” and “lockdown” became part of our everyday vocabulary. We adapted to new practices such as working from home and telemedicine, fundamentally changing how we interact with one another.

Such drastic times also present an opportunity. Embracing solitude can be a gift. Isolation encourages us to seek a deeper connection with the Father and to strengthen our spiritual walk. Rather than viewing social seclusion as a lonely confinement, it can serve as a time for introspection, renewal, and intentional connection with our heavenly Father.

Laying Down our Stones

How often do the children of the King quarrel needlessly with those we love? Bickering over trivial matters can fracture relationships that matter most. Instead of letting these moments divide us, what if we viewed them as opportunities to build bridges? The season of distancing has reminded us of the value of those closest to us. Perhaps it’s time to lay down our stones and work toward strengthening our family bonds.

What Is the Alternative?

If we refuse to unite, what option do we have? Division weakens us, making us vulnerable to our common enemies. However, when we align our hearts and efforts, we become stronger together. The choice is ours to make. Will we rise above and stand united for the honor and glory of our Lord and King?

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© Dr. H 2025