A Great Battle      

Thursday, August 20

A Great Battle      

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

There are some battles that are just too great for us to fight on our own, we need help. Many times we are unaware of the extent of darkness behind such battles; we consider them simple, natural occurrences — a sick child, we chalk it up to genetics; a job lost mysteriously, a contract suddenly terminated, all chalked up to bad luck. What we must recognize is this, there is a greater force that is working every second of the day to frustrate and hinder whatever tasks or purposes God has called us to fulfill, and more. You and I are in a greater battle than we know; however, let us not lose heart we also have access to a great army and with that we are victorious.

The Word of God tells us that “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). This is the reality of every born-again Christian who strives to follow the Lord wholeheartedly.

Paul describes the warfare as being against strongholds – those put up by our enemy the devil – and as being of an entirely different nature. Rather than using brute force, we have divine power on our side. This is the greater reality. When confronted with the enemy, as happens in our ministry, we’re assured that if we rely on God’s powerful weapons we shall not be overcome, however intimidating our opponent might seem.

Of Him, David testified: “I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord” (Psalm 40:1-3).

To Him we sing the testimony: “If it had not been for the Lord on my side, where would I be …”

Indeed, if God were not with us, we would be destroyed. But all praises to the One who has already won the battle and will not hand us over to the enemy. Of Him we sing,

“He lifted me up (u-p)

from the deep miry clay (c-l-a-y)

He planted my feet (f-e-e-t)

on the King’s Highway (w-a-y)

And this is the reason why

I sing and I shout (for joy)

My Jesus came down, down, down (d-o-w-n)

And lifted me up (u-p).