Blessings to All! Here we are on day 11 of 21 days of Prayer. All through the Bible, there is mention of perilous (dangerous) times and how God's protection is promised and needed. We are confident that our heads are covered and protected by God in the day of battle (Psalm 140:7) regardless of what we hear in the media on a daily basis. Two things we learn from Proverbs 21:3. It says, "The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord." In other words, the righteous must take precautions, make plans, and stay alert. Secondly, understand that no matter how cautious and prepared we are to face danger, only God can keep us safe. If he (the righteous) stumbles, he's not down for long; God has a grip on his hand (Psalm 37:24 MSG). People of faith respond to these things by trusting in the Lord and His ability to guide and protect them from hurt, harm or danger. We have the believers’ power and authority to rout the enemy. We have the legal right to use the authority supplied by the Holy Spirit. The question remains, how does ordinary people remain optimistic and confident when surrounded by so much bad news? I’ll tell you how:
The righteous are as bold as a lion (Proverbs 28:1).
The righteous endures all things (2 Timothy 2:3).
The righteous separates him/herself from things that will keep them apart from Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:4).
The righteous are not ignorant of Satan’s devices (2 Corinthians 2:11).
The righteous hates what God hates (Psalm 139:22).
We must understand that our position in Christ is above all principality and power. The righteous are those who are in right standing with God. We have been made the righteousness of God through Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). We must recognize and understand who we are in Christ. God promises to hold up all those that be bowed down (Psalm 145:14). We cannot allow fear to dismiss God’s word. God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
Now, this power and authority is reserved for the righteous. You cannot engage the enemy with sin in your life. Confess your sins and God is faithful and just to forgive you from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9).
Let's say this prayer today. Heavenly Father, I know that true safety comes from You. So in the midst of these troubled times, I ask You to wrap Your protective covering all around me. Watch over our families, our friends, our churches and our communities. Make us sensitive to danger and guide us away from it. And if we must face it, lead us through it and equip us to overcome it. We confess Romans 8:37-39, which says, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Lord, we let go of worry and anxiety. We will not allow fear to rule our thoughts and rob us of our faith. We choose to meditate on Your great love and to find peace in knowing that You are in control. We hold to this confession of faith today, in Jesus's name, Amen!
~Inspiring Hope, Seasoning Faith, Pastor Sean