A Battle Rages; Stand Firm!

"For our struggle
is not against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers,
against the authorities,
against the powers
of this dark world
and against
the spiritual forces of evil
in the heavenly realms."
(Ephesians 6:12)
Good Morning, my friends! How are you on this fourth day of our 40-day journey?

I have to laugh, as I had a sweet post in mind for this morning, but the Lord has something a little more sobering to share. So, in obedience and "Because He Says So", let's explore what He wants to say this morning.

As this morning's reflection Scripture (Ephesians 6:12) reminds us, every battle that embroils us on earth is not what it appears. We're not struggling with money, with relationships, with addictions, or with fasting :-). Whether we're conscious of it or not, we're in a battle for our very lives with an enemy who desires to strip us of everything good thing God has planned for us. We must look beyond the surface to recognize the root; we must treat the cause and not the symptoms.

In 2 Samuel 24:1-17, who provoked King David to take an unnecessary and prideful census? The answer is clear in 1 Chronicles 21:1: "Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel."

In Matthew 16:21-22, who caused Peter to refute the Lord's prediction of His death? Jesus Himself reveals the answer in verse 23: "...'Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.' " (See also Mark 8:31-33).

When people hear the Word of God but fail to let it root deeply (reference Mark 4:1-20), who robs them of that seed? "... Jesus said ... 'Satan comes and takes away the Word that was sown in them.' " (verses 13-15).

Who kept a woman crippled and infirm for 18 years (reference Luke 13:10-17)? "The Lord answered ... '... should not this woman ... whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free ... ?' " (verses 15-16).

Why did Judas betray Jesus (reference Luke 22:1-6 and John 13:21-30)? "Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve." (Luke 22:3). "As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him." (John 13:27).

Why did Ananias lie and steal what was not his to keep (reference Acts 5:1-11)? Peter answers that question in verse 3: " 'Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?' "

"... a messenger of Satan ..." tormented Paul (see 2 Corinthians 12:7-10) and tried to hinder his ministry (reference 1 Thessalonians 2:18).

Who tormented Job and Simon Peter? (Reference Job 1-2 and Luke 22:31-34, 54-62). You guessed it. " 'Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.' " (Luke 22:31) (Reference also Job 1:6-12, 2:1-7). Please note, though, that Satan first had to ask God's permission, which is another post for another day!

Who left an open bag of candy corn in my car, which greeted me with an enticing aroma on the second day of the fast? Oh, wait, did I really type that?! (Just had to lighten this up a little, folks.)

And, of course, who tempted Jesus Himself while He fasted in desert for 40 days in preparation for His earthly ministry (reference Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13? "... the devil ..." (Matthew 4:1); "... the devil ..." (Matthew 4:5); "... the devil ..." (Matthew 4:8); " ... the devil ..." (Matthew 4:11); "... the devil ..." (Luke 4:1); "... the devil ..." (Luke 4:3); "... the devil ..." (Luke 4:5); "... the devil ..." (Luke 4:9); "... the devil ..." (Luke 4:13). Whew. Get the point?

How did our Lord overcome the devil? With the Word of God. "Jesus said to him, 'Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.' Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended Him." (Matthew 4:10-11). (The Scripture in Luke 4:13, though, really gives me the shivers: "When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left Him until an opportune time." (Emphasis mine.) Satan tested Jesus throughout His earthly ministry, including the ultimate test at Gethsemane. We can never let down our guard; the enemy is just waiting for a crack in our armor!

"So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (1 Corinthians 10:12-13).

Please know, precious friends, that you are undergoing nothing that Jesus Himself did not face. You are not fighting the battles alone, and, in fact, the war has already been won! Have you read the back of the Book?! We win! Jesus assured that victory at the cross and outside the empty tomb.

The enemy is making proverbial hay while the sun shines now, but Praise the Lord that "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet." (Romans 16:20). Remember to "... test the spirits to see whether they are from God" (1 John 4:1), and rejoice in the fact that you "... are from God and have overcome them, because the One Who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (1 John 4:4). Do not be unaware of the enemy's schemes (reference 2 Corinthians 2:11), but know that "... Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light ... [and] his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness." (2 Corinthians 11:14-15).

Most of all, beloved, be aware that the battle belongs to the Lord (reference 1 Samuel 17:47; 2 Chronicles 20:15-17, 32:7-8; Psalm 24:8, 140:7, 144:1; Proverbs 21:31; Isaiah 31:4, 42:13; Zechariah 10:5, 14:3). We need only to stand.

Stand firm ... "and see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today" (Exodus 14:13).

Stand firm ... "without fear" (Job 11:15).

Stand firm ... knowing that "when the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone" (Proverbs 10:25).

Stand firm ... knowing that in the end you "will be saved" (Matthew 10:22, 24:13; Mark 13:13).

Stand firm ... to "gain life" (Luke 21:19).

Stand firm ... knowing that "your labor in the Lord is not in vain" (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Stand firm ... "in the faith" (1 Corinthians 16:13).

Stand firm ... "in Christ" (2 Corinthians 1:21).

Stand firm ... "and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1).

Stand firm ... in "the full armor of God" (Ephesians 6:13-20).

Stand firm ... "in one Spirit" (Philippians 1:27).

Stand firm ... "in the Lord, dear friends!" (Philippians 4:1).

Stand firm ... "in all the will of God" (Colossians 4:12).

Stand firm ... "because the Lord's coming is near" (James 5:8).

Precious Father, thank You for the courage to stand. Give us wisdom, dear Lord, to discern the enemy in our midst. Give us strength to stand against his schemes. Envelope us with Your love, mercy, grace, and peace. Surround us with chariots of fire (reference 2 Kings 6:16-18)! Our hope rests in You (reference Psalm 33:22, 62:5; Titus 1:2). I pray in the name of Jesus, Your perfect Son and my precious Savior. Amen.

"... Your enemy
the devil prowls around
like a roaring lion
looking for someone
to devour.
Resist him,
standing firm
in the faith,
because you know
that your brothers
throughout the world
are undergoing the same
kind of sufferings.
And the God of all grace,
Who called you
to His eternal glory
in Christ,
after you have suffered
a little while,
will Himself restore you
and make you strong,
firm and steadfast.
To Him be the power
for ever and ever.
Amen. "
(1 Peter 5:8-11)
(How can we encourage and pray for you today? Please let us know by posting a comment below; click on "Sparks Share" at the end of today's reflection, and scroll down to the "Comments" box. You may choose to comment anonymously, if you prefer.)

Copyright 2008. Kathryn B. Wells. All Rights Reserved.