Warriors Arise: July 6, 2021
Matthew 4:10-11 (NKJV) Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
Awe, the power of "then." When we read then, we know something is about to happen because of something that has happened. The scene unfolds with then. It means there was a beginning, a first, a preface. The devil doesn't leave Jesus on his own good will. The devil left Jesus because of something Jesus had done.
Too many times we face adversity and just wish it would be over, the tribulation would end. We seek desperately to find the light at the end of the tunnel but there is only darkness and it seems to be closing in. We want some kind of a sign this is going to be over. However, if we lay hold of the what Jesus is demonstrating here in Matthew 4, we would know that the same power Jesus operated in is the very same power we can operate in. So the question needs to be asked. What don't we?
Why don't we operate in the same power as Jesus?
Why don't we know when Satan is tempting us?
Why do we struggle to know if we are dealing with our flesh, being tempted by Satan or if God is positioning us to see that we can overcome adversity if we will release the power of Christ in us?
Yes, we have established over the last two weeks that the same power Jesus administered is the same power you and I have access to. Yes, we have the ability to know if it is Satan tempting us or our flesh dictating our desires. In most cases, but not all, Satan just has to suggest the opportunity to sin before our flesh, if it is not aligned with the greater yes, to please God, it will overpower what we know is right. Most of us know the difference between right and wrong. So, why do we sin so easily? Because it takes more than knowing right and wrong to defeat sin. Sin is sin no matter if "The devil made me do it" or if my flesh refused to do what was right. What we know as children of the Most High God, is if we receive the power of Christ in us, submit to God and not our flesh, then we can tell the devil to go. And guess what? He has to go!
Father, it is so simple. Why do I struggle to identify the temptation the devil places before me? Most of the time, I know what is right and wrong. I pray my love for You would increase. I pray I would know the goodness of Your ways. I pray I would trust You in ALL things. I pray I would see the wondrous things You have done in my life and are doing. I want to give You credit for all You have done in my life. I know You have provided for me in ways I never knew. I know You have protected me from situations that I didn't even know were about to happen. I know You have loved me even when I was stubborn and wallowing in self-pity. You have loved me through it all. You have provided for me even when I didn't ask. You have protected me when I didn't know I was so close to falling into a pit. Thank You for Your amazing love. I pray you would reveal to me the ways You have provided, protected and loved me beyond lack of trust in Your plan. You are my God and there is no other. I want my love for You to grow deeper each day. I want to trust You with everything in my life. You are the One who opens doors and creates a place for me. You are the One who loves me when I have rejected Your truth. I come before You know and say, "Thank You for all You have done". You are my God and I will trust You in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus, riots, and lies. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.
Comments