Stalwart in Battle

God has our backs. He is all around us, of course, but He is our defense, even as He directs us in our battles.

Ephesians 6:12 For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age.

Before we came to God, we struggled and strove blindly throughout life, not knowing what we were fighting against, or understand really what we were fighting for, and often lashed out at people around us that we saw as interfering or threatening.

Psalm 9

v.3 My enemies turn back; they stumble and perish before You.
v.5 You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; You have blotted out their name for ever and ever.
v.6 Endless ruin has overtaken the enemy, You have uprooted their cities; even the memory of them has perished.

In God's kingdom, we have a specific enemy whose purpose and tactics are revealed in the Scriptures. He alone is the enemy of God, and his influence is brought against us in several venues. But God has given us the wisdom and the weapons designed particularly to bring us through the battlefield to victory.

Luke 24:48-49 You are witnesses of these things...But tarry in the city...until you are endued with power from on high.

We have the authority we need in the Word of God as we are empowered by the Spirit of God to resist the onslaught of the enemy, who has been defeated by the finished and completed work Jesus accomplished by being crucified. Because God raised Jesus back to life, the power which death has always threatened us with is broken now, and the only weapon left to the enemy is lies made into half-truths. As we walk in obedience to God's word, following Jesus' example, we are trained in and entrusted with God's power to stand against the wiles of the enemy.

Mark 8:38 Jesus said, "If anyone is ashamed of me...the Son of man will be ashamed of them when He comes in His Father's glory with the holy angels."

We have so much for which we can be thankful to God! From the very basics on up, as we breathe in, it is a blessing, a gift from God. As we breathe out, we can make it a praise to Him acknowledging what He has just given us. He has put in us a new life, a new heart, a new mind, and as we walk in this newness, it becomes the most natural thing we can do to think on Him and let our words and actions express our gratitude as we go through the day.

If we stop because of what those around us will think, we are falling back into our old habits and viewpoint. Just catch yourself, turn from it, and start walking again in the newness of what God has put in your heart and mind to do.

1 Peter 2:12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.

Even though some may be offended by your acknowledgement of God's blessing and presence, and though they try to push "political correctness" on you to stifle the praise that springs forth in response to God's beauty and holiness, if we live lives that reflect the active nature of God's love to others in showing care and concern, offering a hand of support and a word of encouragement, there will be more who come our defense than there are those who oppose us.

Psalm 9:
v.9 The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
v.10 Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.

Lord, we praise You with our whole heart; we tell of Your wonders, we rejoice in You and sing praise to Your name, O Most High, for You do not ignore the cry of the afflicted! All of heaven is responsive to our cries and our needs, O Lord; You have designated it so. You respond when we pray; the angels rejoice when a sinner believes; a believer stumbles and the Holy Spirit grieves; a task is completed and the Father rejoices. Who are we that You care for us so? You have sought us and found us and are now caring for us with Your love and Your very presence among us. We rejoice and submit to Your will today, asking only that Your kingdom increase and Your name be glorified.

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