INTRODUCTION
In the previous message, we learned that good courage is nurtured by waiting on God patiently, quietly, prayerfully, and in complete surrender. Through this process, God builds our character, deepens our wisdom and discernment, and works in our circumstances.
This message examines waiting on God in spiritual warfare, drawing on the examples of Job, Daniel, and Balaam to show how opposition, trials, and evil schemes may seek to weaken our faith and hinder God’s purposes. No matter how persistent the opposition in spiritual warfare, His power is greater than that of our enemies and His purposes cannot be overturned. Therefore, be of good courage and wait patiently on God in faith.
1. SPIRITUAL WARFARE WHILE WAITING ON GOD
Waiting on God in faith can involve spiritual warfare. Scripture reminds us that “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” and that we “labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God” (2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Timothy 4:10). Such suffering can test our faith and make it difficult to wait patiently and prayerfully, leaving us vulnerable to spiritual attack.
Spiritual warfare may involve occult practices, such as divination and sorcery, as well as spiritual influences that lead people to act contrary to God’s will. These may be expressed through deliberate hatred, malice, revenge, or other conduct intended to harm others. While such conduct is not occult practice in itself, it can become an instrument through which evil works against others and draws people away from the leading of the Holy Spirit.
For example, engaging in or causing another person to engage in occult practices to harm someone is an expression of spiritual warfare. Likewise, when we respond to provocation or suffering with revenge, hatred, or other ungodly conduct, we can become ensnared in evil rather than being led by the Holy Spirit. The enemy seeks not only to attack us, but also to draw us into actions that are contrary to God’s will.
2. THE ADVERSARY AND HIS SCHEMES
Satan is an evil spirit and the adversary of God’s people. Spiritual warfare therefore involves recognising and resisting his schemes and devices. Jesus warned Peter: “Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not” (Luke 22:31–32). Paul likewise speaks of a “thorn in the flesh” described as “the messenger of Satan” sent to buffet him (2 Corinthians 12:7).
Satan works through wicked influences and schemes to oppose, discourage, and trouble those who seek to live godly lives. Therefore, Scripture warns us not to be ignorant of his devices, lest he take advantage of us (2 Corinthians 2:11). We must remain sober, watchful, and spiritually alert, resisting him by standing firm in the faith (1 Peter 5:8–9).
3. EXPRESSIONS AND FORMS OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE
Spiritual warfare can manifest in several ways while we wait upon the Lord. These may include physical affliction and loss, resistance to God’s purposes, opposition to prayer and waiting, and the use of divination, enchantments, or incentives to promote evil.
3.1. PHYSICAL ATTACKS IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE
Spiritual warfare may manifest through attacks against a person, their health, family, or possessions. For example, Satan attacked Job, a blameless and God-fearing man, systematically destroying his children, servants, livestock, and property and afflicting him with painful illness in an attempt to turn him against God (Job 1:8-19; 2:4-8).
Yet, in the midst of his suffering, Job fell to the ground and worshipped God, saying, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:20 -21). Even when his wife urged him to abandon his integrity, Job refused to sin against God. He remained faithful and held firmly to his integrity despite his suffering (Job 2:3, 9 -10).
Brethren, like Job, we must not allow the enemy’s attacks to destroy our faith in God. Even when we do not understand our suffering, we must continue to trust Him, knowing that our circumstances do not change who God is or His faithfulness to us.
3.2. RESISTANCE TO GOD’S PURPOSE
Brethren, a classic expression of spiritual warfare is resistance to the purposes of God. When God commanded the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, Pharaoh resisted and even increased their suffering. Despite the powerful signs and plagues God performed, Pharaoh continued to pursue Israel. Yet God delivered His people and destroyed their pursuers in the Red Sea. (Exodus 15:9–11).
The enemy’s methods and weapons may be beyond our understanding, but God’s power is greater. Our circumstances may change, but God’s character and faithfulness do not. He is able to deliver His people from evil. (Psalm 144:1:10; Matthew 6:13; 2 Timothy 3:11). Therefore, we can continue to trust God and wait patiently for His deliverance.
3.3. OPPOSITION TO WAITING AND PRAYER
We may encounter spiritual opposition while waiting and praying for God’s intervention. Judah was in Babylonian captivity, waiting for God’s appointed time of restoration. Daniel understood from Scripture that the seventy years of Jerusalem’s desolation were coming to an end, so he sought God through prayer, fasting, humility, and repentance (Daniel 9:2–3).
God heard Daniel’s prayer from the very first day. However, the answer was delayed for 21 days because of spiritual opposition from the “prince of Persia.” Michael came to help, and the angel eventually delivered God’s message to Daniel (Daniel 10:12–13).
Daniel’s experience reminds us that God may hear our prayers immediately even when the answer is delayed. We can therefore continue to wait, pray, and trust Him, knowing that He is working beyond what we can see and is able to overcome every spiritual opposition.
3.4. DIVINATION AND REWARDS FOR EVIL
The story of Balak and Balaam illustrates how spiritual warfare may involve divination, sorcery, material rewards, and other evil influences. When Israel was in the wilderness preparing to enter the Promised Land, Balak saw that they were numerous and powerful, and he became afraid of them. He therefore sought to use occult means and material rewards against them. He asked Balaam to curse Israel, offering him great honour and wealth to carry out his request.
But before Balaam could act, God made His will clear, saying: “Thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed”. Balaam therefore stated firmly that no amount of silver, gold, honour, or reward could make him go against God’s command (Numbers 22: 10 -12, 16 -18).
Brethren, beware that people may use promises of promotion, honour, wealth, or other rewards to entice you to participate in spiritual activities that are not of God, including schemes intended to harm God’s people. Regardless of the pressure or reward offered, God’s Word must be obeyed above wealth, honour, personal gain, or the influence of others.
3.4.1. THE OBSTACLE MAY BE GOD’S WARNING
Brethren not every obstacle in spiritual warfare is an attack from the enemy. Some obstacles are God’s way of warning us, protecting us, or redirecting us when we are moving outside or ahead of His will.
God had previously told Balaam not to go with Balak’s people, in the way to do evil. But hoping that God will change His mind to allow him to make the curse, He went with them and God was displeased with his journey. An angel of the Lord stood in his way to stop him because his path was wrong or ‘perverse’. Balaam realized that he had acted wrongly, confessed his sin and was willing to turn back (Numbers 22:21–34).
Brethren, when we allow ourselves to be used to forecast or pronounce evil against others or pursue such actions out of our own sinful desires despite God’s warnings, we can find ourselves walking in a way that is contrary to God’s will.
As with Balaam, God may place obstacles in our path to protect us and correct us, even when we do not initially understand them. Therefore, we must discern God’s warnings and humbly and courageously change direction when He corrects us. Disobedience can deepen spiritual conflict!
3.4.2. GOD’S FAITHFULNESS ENDURES IN WARFARE
The enemy in spiritual warfare may be persistent and relentless, but the outcome ultimately depends on God’s will, not the enemy’s plans. Balak repeatedly sought to position Balaam to curse Israel, offering sacrifices and taking him to high places where he could see the Israelites and pronounce a curse upon them (Numbers 22:41; 23:1–4).
Yet, instead of cursing Israel, Balaam blessed them. With each attempt, God gave Balaam the words he was to speak. Balaam made it clear that he could say only what the Lord commanded (Numbers 22:38; 23:4 -12).
Balaam also declared God’s faithfulness, saying: “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” He further declared that no enchantment or divination could prevail against Israel because God was with them (Numbers 23:19, 23).
3.4.3. REPEATED ATTACKS CANNOT OVERTURN WHAT GOD HAS ORDAINED
Balaam saw that God was determined to bless Israel, and the Spirit of God came upon him. Instead of cursing Israel, he declared their beauty, strength, prosperity, and victory, affirming that those who blessed Israel would be blessed and those who cursed them would be cursed (Numbers 23:27-24:13).
Balaam then prophesied of “a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre out of Israel,” declaring that a powerful ruler would arise from Israel and exercise dominion over enemy nations (Numbers 24:15–19). This prophecy is understood as pointing ultimately to Jesus Christ, the coming King who has ultimate authority.
Brethren, difficult circumstances do not mean that God’s purpose has been defeated. God’s blessing cannot be overturned by repeated attacks, manipulation, or human schemes. Even when circumstances appear difficult, God’s purpose for His people remains secure. Therefore, in spiritual warfare, wait on God, remain obedient to His Word, and trust His power above every opposition.
3.4.4. IN THE WAITING, DO NOT BE INTIMIDATED BY THE ENEMY
Balaam’s prophecies remind us that our hope in spiritual warfare rests in God, who has provided salvation through Jesus Christ. We must not be intimidated by the strength of the enemy for they are temporary. Balaam also reveals that powerful nations and seemingly secure enemies cannot escape God’s judgment. (Numbers 24:20–25).
Brethren, human strength and earthly security cannot guarantee lasting protection. True security comes from God alone. And no nation, power, or enemy can ultimately stand against God’s purposes. Therefore, wait patiently on Him, trust His mighty power, and remain faithful even when the future seems uncertain.
CONCLUSION
People of God, when we face spiritual warfare, whether through attacks, opposition, divination, obstacles, or intimidation, while waiting on God, we must not fear. Instead, hold firmly to God’s Word: “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper” (Isaiah 54:17). Remain steadfast in faith, trust in God’s power, and wait patiently on Him, for His faithfulness endures, and His purposes will prevail.
The next message will continue exploring waiting on God in spiritual warfare, focusing on how we are equipped by the Holy Spirit to stand firm against spiritual opposition.
PRAYER
Almighty Father, we thank You for Your Word. We give You Praise.
Dear Lord, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, trusting in Your power, Your promises, and Your unfailing Word. Delink us from every spiritual activity that is not of God.
Almighty Father, when the enemy rises against us, help us not to fear. Arise with Your mighty arm to defend and protect us. By Your sovereign power, foil every spiritual attack, accusation, conspiracy, evil counsel, and scheme of the enemy against us. Let every weapon formed against us fail to accomplish its evil purpose.
Holy Spirit, comfort those who have been engaged in spiritual battles for a long time. Strengthen their hearts and assure them that their battles are in Your hands. Renew their strength, sustain their faith, and help them continue to wait patiently on You.
And after we have suffered for a while, O God of all grace, perfect us, establish us, strengthen us, and settle us. Use every trial to deepen our faith, develop our character, and draw us closer to You.
We ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Have a blessed weekend and a fruitful week ahead!
Lots of Love, P. Schwartz (SOG) 24 October 2026.
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