“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:10-11)
There are people who are so much into their jobs that there are quite oblivous of all the happening around them. Born at the height of Roman imperial military power the Apostle Paul was not immune to events around him and very often would draw certain examples from Roman military life to make a point. For instance once he noted to his mentee Timothy, “No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer” ( 2 Timothy 2:4).
But why would Paul often draw his examples from military life? One thing he knew was that the Christian life was as much a battle and just as soldiers who are engaged in war have to be constantly on guard, so would he advise same for followers of Christ. Elsewhere he pointed to Believers, “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 realm” ( Ephesians 6:12). And then cautioned, “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand…take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” ( vv 13-17).
To be a Believer in Christ is to know you are ever at war against principalities that have been released by Lucifer to fight the kingdom of God on earth. From Moses to Joshua, down through the ages, the people of God have always been at war against the enemies dark schemes. They spare none!
Like them you can’t afford to relax but stand firm like a good soldier, remembering to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” ( vv 18).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, knowing how soldiers fight to win a battle, I pray I too may exercise the discipline to stay focused on you and be diligent in prayer, that I may overcome all the enemy’s dark schemes on my life, for victory in you, this I pray in Jesus’s name.
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18/05/2024 - 19/05/2024 All day“Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” (Colossians 2:15)
Perhaps one of the most inspiring passages in the Bible with enduring lessons is where Moses pleads to Pharaoh to let the Jews go. Instead Pharaoh dared Moses if he had the power as that of a king. Challenged to “perform a miracle” Moses turned to Aaron who threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs (Exodus 7: 9-12).
What we see here is the presence of occult powers in high places, as is true even today. A common mistake by some is to deny the existence of the occult behind certain thrones or power centers, especially in instances where we find those putting on a genteel manner of social respectability. There are also those who through their education and confined exposure to the spirit realm of things, doubt the existence of occult powers. The reality is that in the world we live in the enemy is much at work. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
In this passage we see that while Pharaoh did release his snakes the staff God had placed in the hands of his messenger, Moses, was far greater and swallowed all. Here is the point. As believers we do have a far greater and mighty power to protect us from any attacks of the enemy. It is the blood of the lamb. As it is written, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony...” (Revelation 12:11).
Today whatever snakes you may encounter from anywhere be assured that you have a far greater power than of the enemy. It is the blood of Jesus. As His word says, “call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me” (Psalm 50:15).
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I pray for protection from the attacks of the enemy by the blood of the lamb, this I pray in Jesus’name.
