08/02/2021
As modern day Christians we tend to look at the world around us and fret over the sinful condition it is in, how it is set against us as a people of faith, and has such disdain for God’s Church. We become worried about what will happen to us in the face of such terrible adversity. Yet things are not as bad as they seem, and if we will pray in absolute faith for God to send us help, and that our eyes be opened so that we can see what is spiritually arrayed about us, we would stop fretting, and praise God with all joy, and in absolute confidence, and security.
“Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”
2 Kings 6:17 ESV
Satan takes advantage of our lack of faith and confidence in God’s power, and he does so by encouraging our spiritual blindness. When he sees us preparing for our day without putting on the full armor that God has provided us, he celebrates. When he sees us quivering in fear as he sends his minions against us then he rejoices because although the outcome of the war is certain, he relishes in each small victory we allow him.
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”
1 Peter 5:8-9 ESV
Through our faith in Jesus Christ we have become the children of God, and there is nothing, nor anyone, in heaven or earth that can stand against Him. Yet, we are tempted to worry, and fret over what might happen to us. The army of Christ is encamped about us, and God Himself is with us always, yet we are afraid. Our faith fails us as we live in fear, and Satan is emboldened in such times, but we must take heart, and be encouraged in the truth; that being that victory is ours, so why do we doubt and lose confidence in the midst of adversity? Surely our lack of faith has become our undoing because God is able to defend His children.
“and said, “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.”
2 Chronicles 20:6 ESV
Today let’s pray for our belief to be strengthened, our eyes of faith to be opened, and that we be shown the army that stands at ready to defend us, and defeat all those who come against us. Our battlefields straddle heaven and earth, so even as the battle rages on earth and we feel that we are losing ground, victory will always be won… if not in this world then most certainly before the gates of heaven.
“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.”
Psalm 24:1-2 ESV
Our battles might seem to be earthly, but they are not. Discouragement on earth is a tactic deployed in an attempt to win our soul away from God in Heaven, but as long as we maintain our faith, as long as we trust in Jesus and our Heavenly Father, then the victory is the Lord’s, and our soul is secure. Only we can choose for it to be otherwise.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”
Ephesians 6:12-13 ESV
Today the world might seem lost, and the future of the Church in jeopardy, but all of this turmoil on earth, and every hardship or attack that we suffer bodily, and in life, is already won if we will only maintain our belief, and faith.
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:37-39 ESV
Are you conceding victory through your fear, or have your eyes been opened to the certain victory that is ours in God, and Jesus Christ? Our victory is in Heaven, where we claim it for all eternity, and where the glory of God is everlasting… for ever and ever Amen.
“Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.”
2 Timothy 2:3-4 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for being with us always, even on the eve of our earthly battles, and thank you more for standing firm at the gates of Heaven to secure us as your own. There is no defeat for us as long as our faith remains firm in you Lord. Help us to throw off our fear, and don the full armor you have provided us. Open our eyes to the army of angels that you have surrounded us with, and dhow us the victory that lies ahead. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who is radiant in victory over every adversary that comes against us. Praised be your name for the absolute strength of your right arm, and your promise to defend us. Merciful are you Lord as you go before us today, and fend off all temptation, and evil. Your grace is sufficient for us Father, and we ask that it be our greatest joy and comfort each day. By the blood of Jesus we have been redeemed, so open our eyes to this truth each day as we go out into the world to join with you in the struggle for every soul being contested. Judge us as worthy Holy Father, and seat us at your table forevermore… no fear, no doubt, just a fullness of faith in you.
Rich Forbes