2024-11-08
Good Morning Dear Ones,
Now that the Holy Spirit had me writing about strongholds and living in the past, we should look at God’s perspective on these problems and the ways He has given us to deal with them. When a person reaches the superannuation (old age) that I have, it’s likely he has lost a spouse, parents, siblings, and dear friends. Some people refuse to think about what that lost loved one would want for the living one to do. I have a relative who passed away, and his epitaph read (in part) “Here lies __, who dedicated his life to his widowed mother…” Can you imagine what this man’s widow must have thought? Our loved ones who have gone on to be with the Lord wouldn’t want us to be stuck in the past. If their love during their life had been Christlike, they would want us to honor their memories and move on with our lives; they would want our happiness.
So, the question is: What would Jesus want us to do? We are given God’s armor against the work of the devil in EPH 6: 11-18. “Put on the full armor of God against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, the authorities, the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace. In addition to all of this, take up the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Let’s unpack this important passage.
There is unseen spiritual warfare going on, but the only place we are allowed to actually see this is in DN 10. Daniel, who had been fasting, had been praying about a great war for three weeks on the bank of the Tigris River during the third year of Cyrus, king of Persia’s reign. On the next day, he alone had a vision that others with him didn’t see. Daniel saw “a
Man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around His waist. His body was like topaz, His face like lightning, His eyes like flaming torches His arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and His voice like the sound of a multitude” [vv 5-6]. Daniel had paled and fell “asleep” with his face to the ground. A hand touched him, and he trembled on his hands and knees. “He said, ‘Daniel, you, who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, stand up, for now I have been sent to you’” [vs 11]. The Man told Daniel that the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted him twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help Me. The man told the speechless Daniel not to be afraid, touched him again giving him strength, and told him what would happen in the future [vv 19-21]. So, who was this “prince of Persia?” If we go back to EPH 6: 11-12, he is perfectly described.
God not only tells us what is going on unseen here but also tells us what it is! The archangel Michael is the chief angel (on God’s side) of this spiritual warfare charged with fighting it for Israel. Now, do you wonder if we should believe in angels? Rev. Billy Graham wrote a book on this very subject. The Bible is full of comments about God’s heavenly servants in both the OT and NT. From studying the Scriptures over the last 55 years, I have concluded I would be a fool if I didn’t believe in them. There’s much more to unpack from EPH 6: 11-18, and I’m commanded to continue next week.
PRAYER: O Lord, when we visit the shelter of Your wings for any reason, You hear our prayers and we should listen to Your responses and advice. You have invited us to do this, so that we can learn from You that having trusting faith in You can chase away any fright we have. PS 61: 1-2, “Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer: ‘From the end of the earth I call to You, when my heart is faint.’” Yes, Your power is so great that we can’t totally comprehend it, but Your goodness and wisdom give us comfort. PS 16: 8, “I have always set the Lord before me, because He is at my right hand, nothing can shake me.” We seek You, Father, for these reasons, in the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: As promised above, I am commanded next week to continue unpacking EPH 6: 11-18. FYI: Rev. Billy Graham’s book: Angels, Word Publishing 1994; ISBN: 0-8499-1167-2, in case you want to read it. I am reminded to reiterate my own faith in the fact that God loves each of us. That’s why He is vulnerable to being disappointed in those people who reject Him and who won’t take His teaching seriously. For the rest of us who are believers in His teaching, we must remember PS 145: 20, “The Lord watches over all who love Him.” It also helps to remember ZEPH 3: 17, “For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty Savior. He will take delight in you with gladness; with His love He will calm all fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Praise and thanksgiving be to Him!
Grace Be With You Always
Lynn, JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2024. All Rights Reserved.
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