In this journey we call life we will encounter various storms and obstacles along the way,Some them will simply be the nature of life. Others will be the consequences of our own choices and actions. Finally, some will be totally outside of our control as they are the work of real evil forces that are at work in the heavenly realm.
I ask you to PLEASE take just a few minutes and read the passages below, then I will share a few of my thoughts on what this means to us.
Ephesians 6:10-14 NKJV
[10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. [11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. [12] 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. [13] Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. [14] Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
https://bible.com/bible/114/eph.6.10.NKJV
Zechariah 4:6 NKJV
[6] So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.
https://bible.com/bible/114/zec.4.6.NKJV
I Timothy 6:12 NKJV
[12] Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
https://bible.com/bible/114/1ti.6.12.NKJV
II Corinthians 10:3-5 NKJV
[3] For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. [4] For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, [5] casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
https://bible.com/bible/114/2co.10.3.NKJV
I Peter 5:8-11 NKJV
[8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. [9] Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. [10] But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. [11] To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
https://bible.com/bible/114/1pe.5.8.NKJV
II Corinthians 5:7 NKJV
[7] For we walk by faith, not by sight.
There are many in these days and times that do not believe in angels, demons and other forces at work in the unseen spiritual realm. I personally am not one of them and strongly believe in spiritual warfare. While I admit, the concept is quite scary, the good news is that in the end, we know who wins the war. We just have to fight a few battles in the meantime.
Ever better news, the battles we fight are not fought in our own strength, dependent on our righteousness. The victory has been won at the cross and in the empty tomb. All we have to do is apply that victory by faith. As it is written, “‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.”
Will we struggle? Will we lose a few battles trying to rely on our own strengths and abilities? Will we face suffering and possible persecution? I must answer a resounding, “YES” to all of the above. .HOWEVER, ultimately as the scripture says, he will “perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”
In the midst of battles we must remember that we “walk by faith and not by sight,” We can’t trust what our eyes see or our emotions feel. We must trust ONLY what the Lord has said.
One final thought, when we know the enemy and his forces are the prowl “seeking whom he may devour” as I Peter 5:8 says we must be “sober and vigilant.” The Amplified Translation says it this way, “Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times.” What that means to me is that we must be self-disciplined, setting aside every distraction that keeps us from being ready and alert at all times.
My friends, brothers and sisters, whether we like it or not, this life that we now live is not going to be easy; it will be filled with trials and battles, but we must keep fighting, we must keep standing,