“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” ( Hebrews 4:12)
Believers in Christ have been left with weapons in their hands to overcome all manner of challenges and whatever obstacles they may face. What they have always with them is the potent power of the Word of God. After all at the start of his ministry, Christ, used nothing but the power of the Word to repel off the enemy. For when lured by Satan he said, It is written: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” ( Mathew 4:4).
So if a believer is being tortured with doubts and confusion from the enemy he has the Word: “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” ( 2 Cor 10:5). Where a believer finds himself desperate for a need, it is,
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” ( Phil 4:19). If it so happens he is down with illnesses, he knows: “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). And if being attacked, it is “no weapon-weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD” (Isaiah 54:7). And for one starting to realize a dream God’s Word brings comfort: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jer 29:11).
In many faiths around the world people move with all manner of weapons: amulets, beads, marks on faces, charms, etc, for protection. They hold tightly on to these particularly if in danger. Yet for Born Again Believers in Christ it is simply the Word of God. Is it temptation- “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 endure it” ( I Cor 10:13).
This Word of God is available for you and I, as believers in Christ, to use freely to overcome whatever challenges. Let’s arm ourselves with it as we march to victory!
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a blessing to know we have your written Word that powers us to victory and to overcome any challenges, and I pray to makes use of it in every situation, this I pray in your holy Almighty name!
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
