Sometimes,
we think that God is deaf, or that He just does not care, because we pray and
nothing changes. Neither of these thoughts are true, but lies from the father
of lies - Satan himself (John 8:44; Revelation 12:9). The devil continually
attempts to discourage, sidetrack, derail and impede our efforts.
This is
where spiritual warfare comes into play. God's answers may be thwarted, because
God's messengers are involved in spiritual warfare, but He is never overcome (Daniel
10:13-21). He always comes to our rescue, but His answer may be delayed
according to our human timetable.
God
rejoices in our attention and delights in our continual companionship. He
inhabits our praises (Psalm 22:3) and intervenes in our darkest hour (Romans
8:35-39). God gives His angels charge over us, to keep us in all of our ways (Psalm
91:11).
The
blessing of living in this new covenant with God is that Jesus already won the
war on Calvary's cross, and now God's Holy Spirit abides within us. We delight
in, and serve our living God - who was,
and is and always shall be (Revelation 1:8). He is always the same (Hebrews
13:8).
God's
Spirit seals every crack and crevice of our life, as we honor and obey His
direction each moment of the day. We are filled throughout our entire being
with all of the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:16-19). Regardless of our
ministry, we do all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Even
mundane efforts such as housework, the scariest time as parents, or our most
challenging issue in our vocation are all performed by the direction of God's
Spirit, and can lead to furthering the Kingdom of God now on the earth and for
eternity.
When we think
with the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16), we walk lockstep with the King of
kings each moment of the day. We obey Him in singleness of purpose, and He fills
us with His power. Our intimate union with Him increases, as our focus on this
world decreases (John 3:30).
Our every
deed is our spiritual service to God (Romans 12:1). We live, move and have our
existence in Him alone (Acts 17:28), so that He can accomplish His plans in and
through us. We serve as soldiers of the Cross (Numbers 1-3; 4:3-43), and we
wage war in the spiritual realm on our knees.
Prayer:
Father
God, remind us that spiritual warfare starts in our prayer closet, and
continues as we pray without ceasing all through the day (1 Thessalonians 5:16-23).
If we draw near to You and resist the devil, He has to run from us (James 4:7).
You are within us, and greater than him, because he is only of this world and
You are eternal (1 John 4:4). He opposes everything You stand for, but we take
our stand with You, and come against him in Jesus' name. As Your army, we take
our marching orders from You alone.
Help us to
remain faithful to position our self with Christ in spiritual warfare against all
powers and principalities (Ephesians 6:12). Remind us that victory is already
won by the blood of the Lamb on Calvary's cross. In Christ, we are victors, and
always victorious over Satan and all of his demons. Thank You for allowing us
to enjoy unity with Your Trinity. We are so grateful to You for regenerating
our spirit, sanctifying our soul, and one day, glorifying our body for
eternity.
Thought
for the Day:
God
delivered us out of the possession, oppression and authority of the kingdom of
darkness, and brought us into the glorious, eternal Kingdom of the Son of His
love; He always makes a way for us to accomplish His will in and through us,
even when there seems to be no way.
- Colossians 1:13
