We all face difficult circumstances, culture clashes, and personal struggles. Life can be like fighting in a battle. This is a devotional series that will encourage and strengthen you for the spiritual battles you will face in life.
Faith Church
Day 1
Scriptures: Ephesians 6:10-18, Psalms 18:39
ARMED AND READY
Life is a battle. Life gets hard. This is a fact. No one is exempt from struggle and difficulty. Circumstances outside our control will arise and cause stress and pain and this is just a part of life. The question that will remain is how will you respond when it comes? What do you do when the battle comes to your doorstep?
Our response is often determined by how we spiritually prepare and guard ourselves. How you prepare for these days matter. The Apostle Paul urged his followers to put on the full Armor of God that we may be able to stand firm against difficulty.
Most people wake up and live every day without this armor of protection. When we live lives unguarded we leave ourselves open for Satan, the master of deception, to rush in and destroy us. This destruction can happen in a moment, but it often comes little by little. Every day we get a little more comfortable with sin, a little closer to dangerous paths, and we think we will be fine, until we aren’t.
Wearing the Armor of God is fully trusting that He will protect and guard us when the enemy comes in like a flood. The enemy wants nothing more than to steal, kill, and destroy. We must be guarded and protected every day.
When we trust God’s word and pray continually we are covered by His Spirit. His word is a lamp that guides our steps, leading us to respond to circumstances the right way. When coworkers gossip we can be equipped to walk away from evil thoughts and words. When your family is against one another, the Bible teaches us to respond in love and faith.
Life has its challenges, but God has equipped us with everything we need to press through the pain and to stand our ground when the battle comes. We are meant to be a people who have stood the test of time and come out stronger in the end. We can only do this by putting on the Armor of God daily.
What are the vulnerable areas in your life that you need to secure with the Armor of God?
PRAYER:
Lord, as I put on this armor,
Remind me of your faithfulness.
Help me trust your word.
Let your Spirit strengthen me.
Amen.
Day 2
Scriptures: 1 Kings 22:29-37, Isaiah 59:17
ARMOR OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Sin is real. It does more in the fabric of our souls than we know. It is a seed of destruction. Many of the behaviors and outcomes we often experience are a result of sin. Our thoughts, our realities, and our decisions are affected by it regardless of one’s awareness of it
Today we read about King Ahab who was one of the Kings of Israel who lived in sin. He had a rebellious heart. He did not honor the ways of God and because of this he and his family ended in destruction. He was not covered in the Armor of Righteousness or garments of protection. He wore disguised armor thinking he could hide from his sinful ways.
To be clothed in righteousness is not to deny the realities of sin and walk in our own strength, but to realize that sin has made its mark upon us and we are in need of a greater righteousness. The prophet Isaiah understood this when he prophesied about Jesus being our righteousness and our salvation.
King Ahab attempted to disguise himself and wear armor that did not protect him. Sin will cause us to think we can do things on our own, but we need better armor. We need the Armor of Righteousness that only comes through the power of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul understood this when he urged his followers to wear the Breastplate of Righteousness and the Helmet of Salvation.
When we live for God and trust His ways we are living in the righteousness of Jesus. The power of Christ lives in us and can guard us from the powers of evil, darkness, and sin. It doesn’t make us perfect, but it makes us real, honest, and true. It keeps us alive!
What are the sins that you need to uncover and allow God to forgive and redeem?
Prayer:
Lord, forgive me of my sins.
Make me new again.
Clothe me in righteousness.
Cover me with your protection.
Amen.
Day 3
Scriptures: 2 Kings 6:8-17, Psalms 24:8
WHO WILL FIGHT FOR US?
It’s easy to feel alone while fighting difficult circumstances. It’s easy to feel forgotten in the middle of a pandemic. It’s easy to feel lost when the normal walkway has been shutdown. It’s easy to feel helpless when you face a problem so big and there is nothing you can do. It’s easy to feel these emotions in this current season.
Maybe today was one of those days when you woke up and felt overwhelmed by a situation. You feel powerless, insignificant, and alone. Questions like, “How are we supposed to get through this? Do we have anyone who can help us?” roll through your mind.
Elisha’s servant felt overwhelmed when they were surrounded by an enemy army early in the morning. It was one of those days where he woke up to a difficult circumstance. He didn’t even have a chance to make a cup of coffee and start the day off right. The day started off in a panic.
I am sure the servant of Elisha felt helpless and fearful all at the same time, but the prophet Elisha could see what the servant could not. Elisha saw the Armies of God surrounding the enemy’s army. Elisha knew that God was fighting for them. The Armies of God are greater than any problem or struggle we may face today.
When you feel alone, trust God is near.
When you feel forgotten, believe that God loves you.
When you feel lost, know that you have always been found.
When you feel helpless, watch God do the miraculous.
God is fighting for us!
What are the areas in your life that you need God to open your eyes to see His purpose?
Prayer:
Lord, help me see.
Help me see your purpose.
Let me see your hand at work.
Let me see the clear pathway.
Amen.
Day 4
Scriptures: Matthew 24:6-14, James 1:12
THE ENDURANCE CHALLENGE
“If we could only look upon a difficult crisis as an occasion of bringing out, on our behalf, the sufficiency of divine grace, it would enable us to preserve the balance of our souls and to glorify God, even in the deepest waters.”
—C. H. Mackintosh (1820-1896)
It is easy to look at the current events in our world today and make drastic assumptions. “Is this the end?” some may ask. “We are doomed! This world is lost!” some confess! “Let’s go to war and fight!” others shout.
It is important to realize that the climate of today is not much different from the past. The political struggle, the racial tensions, and patriotic fight is much like it was during the days of Jesus over 2000 years ago. He was born in the middle of a climate that was difficult to navigate. He survived the slaughter of innocent babies under Herod the Great. He grew up under the tyranny of Rome when political and religious riots would often leave towns and villages under destruction and sorrow.
Jesus was well acquainted with troubling times. He understood his people’s desire for salvation; however, the salvation He would bring would be different from what they expected. He would not amass an army of revolutionaries to overthrow the Roman empire. He would not gather secret militias to fight and kill.
In fact, he said things would get worse. This doesn’t seem like a very encouraging word from the savior of the world. Yet, Jesus did not shy away from struggle or pain, but confidently walked right through it. Jesus endured until the end. He endured until that end became new again. This type of enduring is what Jesus invites us into as followers.
Amidst a world where the love of many turned cold, Jesus encouraged his disciples to endure and share Good News with the world. This is our mission. This is our driving goal.
The Apostle James understood this when he wrote about patiently enduring testing and temptation. Those who endure will receive the crown of life that God has promised. This is what it means to be battle-tested. We are a people who have withstood the test and trials of life.
May we look upon these difficult times and see an opportunity to share with the world a divine grace sufficient enough for all to receive.
What area in your life do you feel like giving up? Will you give this to God?
PRAYER:
Lord, as the world tries me,
Help me endure passionately,
Keep my heartbeat strong,
Let me finish with the mighty,
Amen.
Day 5
Scriptures: Mark 9:14-29, Ezra 8:21-23
THE WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE
“Lawlessness is abroad. Fear grips many hearts. What are we to do? Are we to parade? Are we to demonstrate? Are we to do all we can within the law to protest wrong and champion the right? Whatever may be said for such activities, let us remember that these are not our chief weapons. They are not our strongest weapons. They are not our best weapons.”
—William Culbertson (1905-1971)
Prayer, fasting, and reading God’s word will always be our strongest weapons. There are no revolts, riots, wars, or parades that can ever take the place of falling to our knees in our prayer rooms and seeking God with our whole heart. There is no meme, no good quote, or thought that can replace God’s Word in our soul.
This is the way of the Christian. This is our way of life. Martin Luther is known for the statement, “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.”
Jesus made it clear that we cannot expect to walk in spiritual strength without praying, fasting, and knowing God’s Word. Prayer is where God changes our hearts and minds. Fasting is when we offer up sacrifices to honor and seek God. God’s Word is where we learn to hear His voice more clearly.
In the Old Testament, Ezra was a priest who was given permission to return to the land of Israel after being exiled in Babylon for many years. He challenged everyone to fast and pray to God as they journeyed home. The Lord hears and will answer our prayers. He may not always answer them in the timing or in the way we think He should, but His answers and timing are always right.
Both Ezra and Jesus understood the power of prayer and fasting. These disciplines do something in our hearts and souls far greater than we could imagine. They are moments of humility and inner change for our lives.
When we face the struggles and spiritual battles of life, our first and only response should be to seek the Lord with prayer and fasting. He is our best line of defense. He is our great protector. He is our source of life.
What is your first response when you face a struggle in your life? Is it prayer or something else?
PRAYER:
Lord, I look only to you.
I seek only you.
I pray only to you.
Lord, it’s always only you.
Amen.