“No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us” ( Romans 8:37).
Wherever there is the work of the Lord the enemy is not pleased. In fact one way to determine if God is involved in any work is it to gauge the level of attack from the enemy. While it should not be the desire for any believer to court trouble, the fact is the existence of such is one proof of being on right course.
Because he knows its power and effects the enemy will always try to frustrate God’s work through all kinds of schemes. Sometimes it is direct opposition, such as was common in the ministry of Paul. “Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked…I have been in danger … from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers ( I Cor 11: 24-27). At other times the enemy will physically attack one’s health as happened to Job. “Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life” ( Job 2:4).
A church might be growing in numbers of those who have given their lives to Christ only for it to be torn apart with dissensions. A good Christian business person may be progressing and using his profits to support God’s work only for tax authorities to impose false claims. A Godly leader might be building up a team to serve effectively only for his job to be threatened through false accusations.
One thing we need know when faced with troubles it is not only a sign we are on course, but the fact is God is on our side and far greater than all the forces against us. We should be comforted by his rich word: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” ( John 16:33).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, as long as we are doing your work the enemy will bring trouble but what a comfort to know that with you we have already overcome and may we have peace and assurance in that knowledge, 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.
