It's a Battle (Psalm 7:1-7)

Today’s scripture: Psalm 7:1-7

Okay. I’ll admit I’ve never had an adversary who has “pursued me” or attempted to “tear my soul like a lion …”

Oh, I’ve had people in my life who haven’t liked me, but generally speaking, people are usually pleasant toe me.

But I—and if you’re a Christian, you too—have an enemy. An enemy of my soul. An enemy who would like nothing more than to discourage me, “trample me,” and “lay my glory in the dust.” This enemy, one described as the “prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2), is “prowl[ing] around like a lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). He knows he’s lost the war because Jesus has already “overcome the world” (John 16:33), but he’s going to try to win a few battles.

How blessed I am to know that God is my refuge and protector—not just from earthly enemies but also from this enemy of my soul. And that enemy? He doesn’t stand a chance!

Don't Let the Enemy Win (James 1:13-16)

Today’s scripture: James 1:13-16

For reasons beyond my comprehension, God has allowed evil to exist since Adam and Eve. And He’s allowed this continual battle between those who follow Him and the “spiritual hosts of wickedness” (Eph. 6:12).

But He Himself does not tempt us. Rather, we allow circumstances or other people to infiltrate our hearts and minds. We make poor choices. We listen to the voice of the enemy.

And when we open ourselves to those things not of God, we are enveloped by sin. And unrepentant sin leads to death—eternal separation from God.

I spent many years with my back turned firmly away from God. I let myself think that, because I’d been abused and hurt as a child, I had an excuse. If God allowed these things to happen, I thought, then I would make my own decisions, chart my own course.

I was deceived.

It wasn’t until I realized that I was indeed in a battle, and I was letting the enemy win, that I came back to the One who will be ultimately victorious.

Don’t let the enemy win. If you’re struggling with sin, turn it over to the Lord. Ask Him to forgive you and to help you overcome whatever temptation the enemy of your soul sends.

Do not be deceived, my friend.

The War Is Won! (1 Corinthians 15:20-28)

Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:20-28

Adam’s choice in the Garden of Eden brought sin into the world—the sin of pride, of wanting to not just be like God, but to be God.

And Adam’s sin infiltrated the hearts and souls of all of his descendents. We are all sinful. Or as Paul wrote in another of his epistles: “All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory” (Romans 3:23).

We can in no way solve the problem of sin—on our own, that is. But there is One far greater than any sin we could possibly commit. There is One through whom we can “all be made alive.”

Sometimes it seems like the enemy is winning. Sin is rampant. Corruption prevails. Perversion triumphs. Satan is licking his chops in glee as he sees the downward spiral of this earth.

Ah, but we know the end of the story. We know that Jesus “has put all His enemies under His feet … He has put all things in subjection under His feet.”

Yes, through one man sin entered the world. But through the Son of Man, the “last enemy that will be abolished is death.”  Right will overcome wrong. Life will vanquish death.

And those of us who have chosen to follow Christ will spend eternity with our God—Father, Son, and Spirit. Everything else will fall away.

So I say, “Lord Jesus, come quickly!”

The Real Battle (Psalm 11:4-6)

Today's scripture: Psalm 11:4-6

Yesterday, we talked about how we who follow Christ are in a battle, just as Paul described to the church at Ephesus (Ephesians 6:12). We ended with the reminder that we just need to trust the Lord.

God never changes. Never. He is always with us. Always.

He is, as the psalmist writes, in His temple and on His throne. He will never "slumber or sleep" (Psalm 121:4). He knows each step we take, each valley we descend, each mountaintop we conquer.

He also sees the acts of our enemies. He sees the wicked and unrighteous. He sees those who deliberately turn their backs on Him and persecute His children. While, as I wrote yesterday, the wicked seem to be winning battle after battle, one day each and every person who ever lived will stand before that throne ... no, they will kneel before that throne and confess Christ as Lord (Philippians 2:10-11).

Tragically, those who seem to be winning battles now will lose the final war, and they will be separated from the One whom they denied ... forever.

Now that I think about it, our fight shouldn't be against those who demean our faith. No. Our battle should be against a mutual enemy: the one who would love nothing more than to drag people to his own fate. We need to fight him for the souls of unbelievers.

We know who wins the war (John 16:33), and we who follow that Conqueror need to reach as many as we can to the winning side.

When My Enemy Seems to Be Winning (Psalm 10:1-7)

Today's scripture: Psalm 10:1-7

Sometimes, I watch the news or read the headlines (online, of course!), and it seems like the bad guys are winning … a lot.

The writer of this psalm described our world really, really well. It’s full of people who are prospering and prideful. Even more, countless deny the existence of the one true God.

Deceit. Cursing. Renouncing the Lord. Sound familiar?

It’s almost painful when it seems like those of us who follow Jesus are losing—jobs, health, relationships—when the “wicked” are thriving. And we cry the words of the psalmist, "Why do You stand afar off, O LORD?”

I’ve asked the same question. Days when I drag myself from bed because the pain is so intense. Days when politicians are caught in lies—but “spin” their way out. Days when people die in catastrophic earthquakes or floods while celebrities talk of their triple-digit car purchase.

“Why do You hide in times of trouble?”

Yes, sometimes it seems like God is far away, hiding in times of trouble. Sometimes it feels like the enemy is indeed winning. And it’s really hard.

During these times, my hope comes from a favorite verse. I pray as you face your own enemy, these words will give you hope too.

 "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33, NASB)

Our enemies may be winning a battle or two, but our Lord Jesus Christ has already won the war!

The Battle (Ephesians 6:10-12)

Today's scripture: Ephesians 6:10-12

We’re in a battle folks. A big old, ugly, bloody battle. And it’s not in a foreign land. It’s right on your street. At your work. At your school. Maybe even in your own home.

And we have a pretty powerful enemy. And he doesn’t fight fair. Sometimes he sneaks in under the cover of darkness. Sometimes he launches a full-frontal attack. He and his minions are wandering the world, scheming and planning. Trying to take out as many as they can. And sometimes it seems like they’re winning. And perhaps they are.

But those of us who follow Christ know Who wins the war. Jesus Himself said, “In the world you may have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”(John 16:33). Not I will, but I have. He’s already won the war! And we’re on the winning side.

What we have to do is be prepared for the battle, and Monday, we’ll see how to arm ourselves.

On the Way to the Cross: Before Annas (John 18:12-24)

Today's scripture: John 18:12-24

Jesus has been arrested. Now, He's facing His accusers; first, He faces Annas, beginning what would be a sham of a trial. It seems like the enemy has won. Those who opposed Jesus the most have Him in their grips. They think they're in control ... But they're not. One commentary writes:

Events are swirling around Jesus rapidly, but he is still in control. He utters the words that send him to his death, leaving no need for outside witnesses ... Jesus is mocked as a prophet who does not know what is happening, but he is quite aware of what he is doing and why. The scene drips with the tragic irony of humankind's hostility to God's plan and the tenacity of God's Son to rectify what is awry with us all. (Bible Gateway)

Every time I read any of the accounts of Jesus' arrest and trial, I can't help but smile. I don't smile because of what Jesus went through. That still breaks my heart. I smile because I imagine the enemy's gloating as the guards grab Jesus and drag Him to Annas' house. While Satan is not omniscient, omnipresent, or omnipotent, he has been give some level of influence. The Bible tells us that Satan "entered" Judas Iscariot (Luke 22:3), and I imagine that he continually whispered lies to the Jewish leaders.

So, I imagine his thinking, "I've won!"

And I smile because I know what a loser he truly was. Jesus ultimately won this battle—and we know He wins the war!