the wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but i consider your testimonies. [psalm 119:95]
most of us don’t have many people in our neighborhood or job or school who are lying “in wait to destroy” us. you might be the exception! if so, can i offer this perspective –
for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. [eph 6:12]
your battle, your real battle, is not with your neighbor, your boss, or that bully in your class. your real battle according to God’s voice – is against every believer’s enemy, satan and his demons. he and his “spiritual forces of evil” wage war against every one of us who are in Christ. and, everyday they “lie in wait to destroy” you.
put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. [eph 6:11]
be sober-minded; be watchful. your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. [1 pet 5:8]
the battle is real. weekly (and daily) i am tempted to to do sin and evil that would destroy my family, bring devastation to a ministry, and bring harm to God’s name. weekly i walk with people who are battling the reality of this war.
the battle is deadly. i have seen an immeasurable amount of heartache – in my own life and others – because i / we forgot we were in a battle with evil spiritual forces.
the battle requires action. will you fight?
the wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but i consider your testimonies. [ps 119:95]
will you consider the testimonies of the LORD. will you ask him to use his word to – empower you, embolden you, give you steadfastness, and give you awareness. will you consider his testimonies? here are a few. consider them! which means – meditate, think on, talk with another about, and most of all ask the LORD’S presence to enlighten and empower.
“and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” [Jesus – matt 6:13]
“i do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.” [Jesus – john 17:15]
submit yourselves therefore to God. resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [jam 4:7]
but the Lord is faithful. he will establish you and guard you against the evil one. [2 thess 3:3]
resist him (the devil), firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 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. [1 pet 5:9-10]
finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. in all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. to that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, [eph 6:10-18]
~ john ryan