From the mouths of babes God has ordained praise, and He also has been glorified by the mouth of crooked, greedy prophets like Balaam. After he was asked to curse Israel from afar, Balaam said in Numbers 23:22-23, "God
brings them out of Egypt; He has strength like a wild
ox. 23 "For there is no sorcery against Jacob, nor any divination against Israel. It
now must be said of Jacob and of Israel, 'Oh, what
God has done!'" There is no one more powerful or intimately involved with what is commonly called "spiritual warfare" than God, and there is no sorcery or divination which works against Him. Victory depends primarily not on what we do but what God has done.
The focus of many genuine believers can be more on what we need to do to be protected and victorious rather than extolling and believing what God has said and done. God spoke to His people in Isaiah 54:16-17: "Behold, I have created the blacksmith who blows the coals in the fire, who brings forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the spoiler to destroy.17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me," says the LORD." Satan, who has been a liar, thief, and murderer from the beginning, remains under the absolute authority of God. He recognised a hedge of protection God placed around Job, a boundary he could not cross without permission. Even when he was permitted to afflict Job there were limits sovereignly enforced by God whose intention was revelation, restoration, and double blessing.
Paul wrote that Christians are not to wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers, and rulers of wickedness in heavenly places. This is a bit daunting to some, that we would be pitted against invisible, malevolent beings who seek our ruin. But remember what Jesus accomplished on Calvary when He disarmed principalities and powers! Colossians 2:13-15 says, "And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it." Knowing our enemy has been disarmed by the almighty God who has redeemed and reconciled us to Himself makes a huge difference in how we engage in spiritual conflict. We do not fight to obtain victory but from victory Jesus has wrought.
People talk of a need for a "prayer covering" but Jesus is the glorious One in whom is our life and vitality whose shed blood covers us by grace through faith. Jesus Christ knew the secret thoughts of the hearts of men and the desires of Satan too. Luke 22:31-32 says, "And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." Even as Satan's murderous desire towards Jesus was overthrown and resulted in new life and salvation for all people through the Gospel, God would redeem Satan's efforts to sift Peter by redeeming the situation and bringing strength to Peter and others too. Looking at Peter's denial of Christ and the death of Jesus on Calvary appeared hopeless, but God's redemptive purposes were in full force for good.
Hasn't God done amazing things? He brought the children of Israel out of Egypt with a mighty hand, led them through the wilderness, and caused them to enter the inheritance He prepared for them as promised. We were once dead in trespasses and sins but through the death of Jesus we have been raised to new life. Balaam wanted to curse Israel for profit, but he could only bless. Weapons in the hands of enemies make us feel vulnerable, but God causes no weapon fashioned against us to prosper. Principalities and powers have been disarmed through the overcoming victory of Jesus Christ, and He prays for those who face satanic assault. 1 Peter 5:8-11 urges us from inspiration of God and experience, "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."
The focus of many genuine believers can be more on what we need to do to be protected and victorious rather than extolling and believing what God has said and done. God spoke to His people in Isaiah 54:16-17: "Behold, I have created the blacksmith who blows the coals in the fire, who brings forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the spoiler to destroy.17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me," says the LORD." Satan, who has been a liar, thief, and murderer from the beginning, remains under the absolute authority of God. He recognised a hedge of protection God placed around Job, a boundary he could not cross without permission. Even when he was permitted to afflict Job there were limits sovereignly enforced by God whose intention was revelation, restoration, and double blessing.
Paul wrote that Christians are not to wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers, and rulers of wickedness in heavenly places. This is a bit daunting to some, that we would be pitted against invisible, malevolent beings who seek our ruin. But remember what Jesus accomplished on Calvary when He disarmed principalities and powers! Colossians 2:13-15 says, "And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it." Knowing our enemy has been disarmed by the almighty God who has redeemed and reconciled us to Himself makes a huge difference in how we engage in spiritual conflict. We do not fight to obtain victory but from victory Jesus has wrought.
People talk of a need for a "prayer covering" but Jesus is the glorious One in whom is our life and vitality whose shed blood covers us by grace through faith. Jesus Christ knew the secret thoughts of the hearts of men and the desires of Satan too. Luke 22:31-32 says, "And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." Even as Satan's murderous desire towards Jesus was overthrown and resulted in new life and salvation for all people through the Gospel, God would redeem Satan's efforts to sift Peter by redeeming the situation and bringing strength to Peter and others too. Looking at Peter's denial of Christ and the death of Jesus on Calvary appeared hopeless, but God's redemptive purposes were in full force for good.
Hasn't God done amazing things? He brought the children of Israel out of Egypt with a mighty hand, led them through the wilderness, and caused them to enter the inheritance He prepared for them as promised. We were once dead in trespasses and sins but through the death of Jesus we have been raised to new life. Balaam wanted to curse Israel for profit, but he could only bless. Weapons in the hands of enemies make us feel vulnerable, but God causes no weapon fashioned against us to prosper. Principalities and powers have been disarmed through the overcoming victory of Jesus Christ, and He prays for those who face satanic assault. 1 Peter 5:8-11 urges us from inspiration of God and experience, "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."
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