“Jesus is standing at God’s right hand!”, Stephen exclaimed. (Acts 7:56)
“Sin is crouching at the door eager to control you.” (Gen.4:7).
“The devil is prowling like a roaring lion seeking to devour you“ (1Pet.5:8).
“The world is squeezing the naïve into its own mold…” (Rom.12:2 – Phillips).
Lord Jesus, like every other year, month, and day—2026 will be a year in which we will encounter powerful influences. We don’t need to be paranoid but must not be naive. There isn’t “a demon under every rock,” but there are reasons in every day for us to lock our gaze and set our affections on you.
First and foremost, because you are so beautiful, good, and true. Jesus, you alone are worthy of our adoration, affection, and allegiance. You love us with extravagant, unwavering, never-ending love. Secondly because…
- Sin isn’t just “crouching at our door,” it’s living inside us—enticing, tantalizing, lying—seeking to seduce, control, and demolish us.
- The devil knows his time is short, he’s angry, and he wants to “rob, kill, and destroy us” (Jn.10:10).
- The world—not the earth itself, but the “world system” with its values, idols, and man-centered-me-first allure will “squeeze” us into its mold unless we resist; or better, until you are dazzling and irresistible to us.
Jesus, that’s why, like Stephen, with eyes of faith, we want to see you standing on our behalf in triumph, tenderness, and tenacity at Abba’s right hand. Standing up for us when sin and the devil would accuse and condemn us. Standing to catch every care we cast on you and every burden we offload on you. Standing to give us your peace in our troubles and your rest in our weariness. Standing as our passionate Bridegroom—fixing to “run down” the isle from heaven,” to have and hold us forever. Thank you, “Hallelujah!”, and So Very Amen.
