Blake Allen, Student and Outreach Minister, LHBC
1 Peter 5:6-11
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Shame. Fear. Brokenness. Self-destruction. Helplessness. Anxiety. Self-hatred. Sinfulness. Lostness. Confusion. Distortion. Depression. Etc…
Maybe you’ve lived in one of these categories a time or two. The list could go on and we have all faced our share of battles in this life. Maybe you are going through one right now and wondering what to do when it feels like the weight of your burdens is crushing you to the point of despair.
It’s time to push back the dark and say, “Not Today Satan.” This has become a popular phrase of late. Interestingly enough, the phrase actually wasn’t coined by a Christian but it has made its way into Christian circles. It has been “Christianized” if you will. Nevertheless, for many people today, it is a great reminder that there is nothing to fear.
Satan tries to work in multiple ways to distract us from our mission. He knows his hold on this world will end one day. He will lose the battle. In fact, he has already lost the battle. The cross has already secured the victory!
Because he can’t defeat God, he tries to defeat us. He hates God and all who are made in His image. Since he can’t destroy or overcome God, he tries to destroy and overcome us since we are made in God’s image. He tells us lies about ourselves and wants us to feel shame. He jumps at every opportunity to make us feel guilty. He reminds us of our past failures. He is constantly in our ear telling us that we are worthless. He wants us to be self-conscious about our image. He tries to destroy and break apart families. He kicks us when we are down and tells us that we are too weak to overcome our battles. If you find yourself in one of these categories today, it’s time to push back the darkness and say, “Not Today Satan.”
Whatever troubles come our way, whatever spiritual attacks we experience, whatever sufferings we endure, whatever temptations we face; we will not be overcome for in the name of Jesus we have victory! In Jesus the sting of sin and death is rendered powerless. The head of Satan is crushed and he has been defeated. We are overcomers in Jesus Christ! The mighty hand of God is fighting your battles for you. He is on the front lines working all things together for your good. He will restore you! He will confirm you! He will comfort you! He will establish you! He will strengthen you! You will overcome your battle by God’s grace and His power. So it’s time to get up, knock the dust off, stand firm in your faith, and resist the lies of Satan. He has no power to dominate you for Christ has all authority, dominion, and power. So push back in faith, for in Jesus, the devil has no claim of victory over you today!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for your provision of victory in our life. For we have victory in Jesus who has overcome all things. We can trust that the one who has carried our sin and shame to the cross can also carry our burdens. For what is too much for us is too easy for you. Therefore, remind us each day that you are with us, you will strengthen us, you will comfort us, you will help us, and you will establish us. For we are overcomers in you. In Jesus’ name, amen!
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
James 5:16- Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.