A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies…” Eph. 6:10-11 (NLT)
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Rom. 13:14 (ESV)
Lord Jesus, we to easily forget that our greatest enemies in life aren’t people and groups of mere men, but the devil and his dark minions. Though you crushed his head on the cross, the devil awaits his eradication at your return.
Filled with fury because he knows his time is short (Rev. 12:12), he seeks to harm everything you treasure and cherish. He targets us as individuals, and the church—your Bride; marriages and missionaries; culture makers and city builders, our kids, entertainment—virtually every sphere of life.
Jesus, forgive us for simplistically blaming people for most of the ills in life and problems in the world. Though we harm one another, destructively and inexcusably, there is one who hates all of us. Help us recognize his snarly schemes (2 Cor. 2:11) and prowling ways (1 Pet. 5:8).
But our greatest peace, confidence, and hope is you, Jesus. As surely as we’ll put on appropriate clothes today, so we must dress ourselves with garments of your grace. Jesus, you don’t just give us armor, you are our armor—our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. The best way to do spiritual warfare is NOT by fearing the devil, but by loving and worshiping you.
In you, there is no condemnation or fear. By you, we have everything we need—not just to survive but thrive in life. For you, all things exist. With you we enter this day—dependent, expectant, and ever so grateful. So very Amen we pray, in your triumphant and tender name.
