John 10:10 The
thief cometh not, but for
to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Every now and then, I find myself in not so ideal
circumstances. Sometimes by my own creation and sometimes not. Either way, I
always look to God to bail me out. What I’ve learned from this last
circumstance is to look at the big picture. As I began to critique my own
actions pondering the steps that landed me where I was, I thought about my old
standby. One of my favorite scriptures, Romans 8:28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love
God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. All things means just
that, all things. It doesn’t mean just the good things. It doesn’t mean the
things that are so, so, where no one profits, and no one gets hurt. It means
all things.
But let’s take a step back. Before my epiphany, I felt the
pity party trying to start. All the usual guests started showing up. Guilt,
sorrow, disgust, anger, and oh yes, regret. What kind of pity party would it be
without regret? Would’ve, should’ve and could’ve showed up. You know they
always travel together. But then someone else showed up just as I was closing
the door getting ready to start the party. It was Mercy. Mercy quickly walked
in and evicted the other guests, saying there’s no pity party here. Not while
I’m here. I immediately grabbed Mercy by the hand, thankful for the reminder.
Instead of playing songs of sorrow I began to play songs of worship to the God
that already knew I would be right where I was at that time. And just as Mercy
reminded me, God began to give me that peace that surpasses all understanding.
When I look at the big picture, the reason for the
circumstance was also coupled with many blessings that I could never have
imagined. I was right where I believe God wanted me to be for the blessings to
occur, and I will even go as far as to say for miracles to occur.
Things don’t always go as planned even when there is a
blessing tied to them, but what I don’t think we always consider is that God is
always in control. The best example I can think of is Jacob. Jacob connived his
way into getting his brothers blessing. He was duped by his future
father-in-law. He feared retaliation from his brother. What Jacob did not know,
was that it was Gods will all along for him to receive His blessing.
When we fall into those not so ideal circumstances, the
thief is standing right there to pounce. His job, that he does oh so well, is
to steal, to kill and destroy. He robs us of our peace, our sleep, our health. He
can, when he is working his hardest, and we do not have the strength to put on
our armor, even rob us of our life. His tactics may cause us to lose
relationships; material things such as houses and cars. How does he do this?
It’s simple. When you go into a battle you must be prepared. You can’t start
preparing after the battle. You are sure to lose. Have you ever watched how a
prize fighter prepares for a fight? The
fighter will change their diet; their exercise routine, they prepare their
weapons, their body and their mind. We must do the same. We must prepare.
What are our weapons? We read in 2Corinthians 10:4 -5 (For the weapons of our warfare are not
carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and
every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and
bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
We are also admonished in Ephesians 6:11put on the whole
armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil and
in verse 17, and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God.
Take the helmet of salvation, the sword of the spirit,
which is the word of God, cast down imaginations, and every high thing that
exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, bring into captivity every
thought to the obedience of Christ. In other words, the way to prepare for
battle is to arm yourself. Read the word of God. Study the word, meditate on it
day and night. When you read, study; meditate on the word it becomes a part of
you. It becomes the helmet of salvation enabling you to cast down imaginations.
Let’s pause right here. How many of you know when those not
so ideal circumstances come, your mind begins to imagine the worst-case
scenario? You begin to have those thoughts that are contrary to the word of
God. You forget about Gods promises. Fear enters in. The enemy has his foot in
the door. All he wants is your mind.
Think about it. For we wrestle not against
flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers
of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places,
Ephesians 6:12. Our battle is against an enemy we can’t even see. But guess
what? The battle was won over 2000 years ago on Calvary’s cross. It’s up to us
to maintain our stance. It’s up to us to stand our ground. Isaiah 59:19(b) When
the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. Your word filled mind coupled with the Holy Spirit
reminding you of what God has told you, as well as what Jesus did on the cross
is all you need to conquer the enemy.
It’s always better to be proactive than reactive. Too often
we wait until those not so ideal circumstances arrive before we put on our
armor. Imagine those fiery darts coming at your head and your helmet of
salvation along with your sword of the spirit are on your beside table, or in
your car. You’re defenseless.
One of the great things about our God is that He is always
there. He always hears our cries. Even when we haven’t prepared for the battle
and the enemy is trying his best to topple us over. When we cry out to God, as
I stated previously our God will lift up a standard against the enemy. We may
suffer a couple of bumps and bruises since we entered the battle without our
armor, but we will survive.
When the enemy tries to steal your joy, it’s up to you to
stop him. God inhabits the praises of His people. Change your song. Instead of
singing woe is me. Begin to worship the Lord. Sing praises to His name. When
you are worshipping God, your mind cannot think about your circumstances. You
will be consumed with the love of God. Don’t allow the enemy is any form to steal
what is rightfully yours. Proclaim your victory.
