Daily Devotionals

“I’m tired of fighting! As soon a I whip one problem, there are a hundred more knocking on my door!”

Some years ago a friend of mine said those very words to the Lord. At the time she was weary from the battles of life and ministry. She was fatigued from the constant pressure of pushing back the powers of darkness in her own life and in the lives of those around her. I’ll never forget the Lord’s response to her as she voiced her frustration.

What is an army for, if not to fight?! He said. You’ll either be fighting or retreating from now until Jesus returns!

Those words come as a shock to many Christians. They don’t want to be warriors. They want a comfortable, easy life. They want to lie back and go on a spiritual vacation. But that’s not what we as believers are called to do.

We’re called to “fight the good fight of faith.” We are an army and we are at war, “not against flesh and blood, but against principalities…powers…rulers of the darkness of this world…spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).

God has given us spiritual weapons (2 Corinthians 10:4) and His own armor (Ephesians 6:10-18). He has equipped us to be spiritual soldiers!

Right now you may be thinking, My, this soldier business sounds rough. I’m not sure if I can do it.

Yes, you can! When you face the pressure of battle, when stress and trouble come, when you are about to faint, look up! Focus your attention on the truth that Jesus is risen from the dead and you are in Him! When He arose, you arose. When He defeated the devil, you defeated the devil. His victory is your victory!

Think about that when the devil is telling you that you’re not going to make it. Then turn the tables on him and tell him a few things for a change! Say: “Satan, I remind you that Jesus triumphed over you. I remind you that He spoiled you and made a show of you, that He took away all the authority you had. The Bible says you’ve been brought to naught! You’re nothing, but I am Jesus’ own representative here on the earth. I have His power and act in His Name. I’m seated with Him in heavenly places. All I have to do is stand in the victory Jesus has already won. The only way you can defeat me is by convincing me to quit, and that’s the one thing I won’t do! I won’t accept defeat. I won’t let you talk me out of my victory. I will stand and endure until I win—so you might as well surrender right now.”

Or if you are short on time, just say, “Get out in the Name of Jesus!”

That’s the way a good soldier talks. And that’s the way you’ll talk too when you constantly keep in mind Christ Jesus has risen from the dead!

Speak the Word

I fight the good fight of faith. (1 Timothy 6:12)