×
When I am afraid, I will trust in you. Psalm 56:3
And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” Rev. 12:10-11
     Dear Lord Jesus, even as these celebrative words first thundered from heaven by a loud voice, so they generate a shout of joy in my heart today. This portion of the Word gives us a freeing and encouraging perspective on spiritual warfare. Because of your cross, resurrection and ascension, we live in the “now” of your salvation, power, kingdom, and authority, Lord Jesus. Though we must be wise, though we must be careful, we need not fear anything. You’re calling us to warfare, not war-fear.
     It wouldn’t surprise me if Martin Luther was meditating on this passage when he wrote these remarkable words: “And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us. The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him. His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure. One little word shall fell him.”
     Indeed, Lord Jesus, though Satan is yet to be permanently removed, you have thoroughly routed him. The “accuser of our brothers” has been eternally defeated by you, the great Lover of your bride. It’s because you loved us so much that you didn’t “shrink from death” on the cross.
     Now, by the endless supply of your compelling love, empower us to love you more than we fear our death. Empower us to show up rather than shrink back. Empower us for overcoming darkness, wherever it is found… in our hearts, our communities, our culture.
     We will overcome, not by our muscle but by your mercy, not by our grit but by your grace—by the sacrifice of your blood and our testimonies to your glory and grace. Lord Jesus, continue to preach the gospel so loudly in our hearts that it literally drowns out Satan’s constant yammering about of our guilt.
     We sing to your glory, Lord Jesus. “Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, were not the right man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing. Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He. Lord Sabboth, his name, from age to age the same, and He must win the battle.”
     Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! The Prince of Peace has gloriously triumphed over the Prince of Darkness! Jesus lives! Jesus reigns! Jesus loves! So very Amen I pray, in his holy and wholly trustworthy name.

LOAD MORE
Loading