Your enemies are stepping stones to make you rise faster than planned

 Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king”; and he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. Then he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they followed and helped Adonijah. (1 Kings 1: 6&7)

The king also said, “Take with you the servants of your lord, and have Solomon my son ride on my own mule, and take him down to Gihon. “There let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel; and blow the horn, and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’  (1 Kings 1: 33&34)

Then Zadok the priest took a horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. And they blew the horn, and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon! And all the people went up after him; and the people played the flutes and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth seemed to split with their sound. Now Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they finished eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the horn, he said, “Why is the city in such a noisy uproar?” (1 Kings 1:39-41)

Introduction: Your enemies are stepping stones to make you rise faster than you have planned; don’t lose your sleep over them and their actions. Many people are too bothered about their enemies both physical and spiritual. It is not necessary. Psalms 23: 5 says ‘God prepares a table before you in the presence of your enemies; He anoints your head with oil; your cup runs over. That means in spite of your enemies and their plans against you, God will continue to bless you and you will be celebrated. What matters is if God is on your side as a friend. If you have not lived your life to be God’s enemy, then it doesn’t matter whoever sets himself up as your enemy, the person will only become a stepping stone to the fulfillment of your destiny.

Some years ago, I approached a Professor to write the forewords or about the book for one of my books. The man said if his name would appear anywhere on my book, he must be a co-author. I tried to explain to him that the book was a family project and would be difficult to have another person’s name on it but he insisted on his wish.

Since I had already given him the manuscript and could not withdraw it being an elderly person, I had no choice but to publish the book within one or two weeks so that he would not outsmart me. There are many manuscripts others and I have written which have not materialized into a book but God used the Professor’s strange attitude to make my book get published faster than intended. Since I wasn’t known then, I thought his name would help me sell my book but God knew I didn’t need his name, I only needed God. I give God all the glory, the book has travelled far and wide today.

According to the story in 1 kings chapter 1, When Solomon woke up on that faithful day he was crowned as king Israel, he never imagined that he would become a king on that particular day though he had been preparing himself for this great destiny judging from the wise way he handled issues immediately he was crowned without consulting anyone (1 Kings 1:52). His brother and enemy, Adonijah who was struggling to take his position made the fulfillment of his destiny to occur faster than he ever expected.

Prepare your life to fit your future, don’t bother about your enemies

Adonijah exalted himself wanting to become king though he knew God ‘s plan was to give the kingship to Solomon ( 1 Kings 2:15, 1 Chronicles 22:17, 28:5). His inordinate ambition of becoming a king made him become Solomon’s enemy. He prepared chariots and horsemen and secured connections and support of great men like Joab and Abiathar the priest but he eventually failed and did not become the king.  People can decide to exalt themselves to any position they like, it will only last for a while. If God is not pleased with someone’s life to bring him to a particular position, the running will be in vain. Adonijah prepared horses, chariots and people but his life was not meant for the position of the king; therefore he failed despite his desire and efforts to attain the position. Moreover his life was not prepared, he was only preparing things.   

On the other hand, God had declared that Solomon will reign after David and he had been preparing himself to be effective in the position but he never struggled for it. David his father also prepared people’s mind and made some preparations ready for the major assignment he was meant to fulfill during his reign, which was building the temple.

When you have received something from God and you are sure God has given you, it doesn’t matter how many people are struggling for it, you don’t need to struggle, you only need to move closer to God to give you the strategy to overcome the challenge and reign as expected. Solomon had known that he will be the king of Israel and had been preparing himself for this leadership position.( 1Ch 28:5 says “And of all my sons, He has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel).  It was not born out of ambition, it was simply the will of God for him and he accepted and prepared himself for it.

You don’t even need to treat your enemies as such; leave them in God’s hands to deal with them.  You should just concentrate on preparing your life to fit the position not

Everyone has a destiny which differs from other people’s destinies. Prepare your life to fit your own future and destiny, don’t just prepare things, money, materials or live your life competing with other people or scheming how to attain the position. Different destinies require different preparations.  If you prepare your life to fit the will of God and don’t try to compete with other people in their own destinies, or envying your enemies or competitors, your greatness is sure. Those who have set themselves as your enemies will just be stepping stones to assist you to rise faster than planned because they will drive you to pray more and work harder.

It doesn’t matter who is trying to help your enemy, God is your helper

Sometimes when we think about the competition going on in our world today, it would seems as if those who don’t have great connections with politicians can never achieve anything great. It is not true, if you have God, indeed you can run against a troop, by your God you can leap over a wall.  (Psalm 18: 29). In Psalm 46:1, we are told that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. God is your help, call upon him, he will help you.

In 1 Kings 1: 7, Adonijah got the greatest man of war in Israel, Joab to his camp as well as a priest but God did not support him and he failed. Solomon who did not even bother to gather anyone was just called to reign, you shall be called to step into your destiny with ease in Jesus name.

Some years ago when I wanted to start residency programme to become a specialist in Public Health, I heard that if one doesn’t know the president, it would be difficult to secure an appointment into the post; however, I prayed, read and applied. To God be the glory I was selected after a keen competition. Some people actually asked me if I knew the president but I told them I know God. Thank God for the Staff of Department of Community Health, Lagos University Teaching Hospital who insisted on taking people based on merit and gave me a chance. I know someone whom I looked up to while preparing for the exam, which is highly connected and really desired that position. She did the exams for almost ten years and eventually gave up and never became a Consultant. I was alarmed when she told me directly one day ‘ I envy you’ Don’t be bothered about the people competing with you, focus on pleasing God and preparing your life to fit your destiny.

While they are struggling to occupy your position or prevent you from stepping into them, people will notice their struggle and make you quickly get there because you shall be preferred. While your enemies are busy trying to occupy your own position; in the process they waste their own lives because your shoes will be misfit for them and injure them. Absalom and Adonijah tried to occupy the position of Solomon and in the process died. (Adonijah tried to take over Abishag , the lovely lady that took care of David but whom he never had sex with. He probably left her brand new, reserved for Solomon. In the process of trying to enter Solomon’s shoes again, he lost his life).

Conclusion: Don’t be worried about your enemies or competitors; they will only become stepping stones for faster fulfillment of your destiny.