Good Morning!
So, I’ve written about Psalm 91 the last two days. It came up again last night at bible study, twice, and not by me. In fact, one woman prayed for me. She prayed Psalm 91. I had no idea she was going to do that nor did she have any idea that it has been on my mind. Very interesting.
I’ll be honest, it is also troubling. Why? Because this is a prayer for protection. Powerful protection. The fact that someone was stirred to pray it over me is concerning. Why? Perhaps I need to be prepared for an imminent storm or trial.
What do I do now? Wait for it to hit me? I could do that. A far better plan would be to prepare for it. How? Scripture. And prayer. And journaling. I’ve written on this topic many times, so some of you will recall this stuff. A soldier prepares for battle when? In times of peace. The battlefield is no place to get familiar with a weapon, it is the time to train with it. Therefore, today, I shall prepare for battle. Let’s do this together.
First, who is my enemy?
Ephesians 6:12 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.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk according to the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.
Satan is my enemy. Him and all his fallen angels, that’s who. What are their intentions?
John 10:10a The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy….
Make no mistake about this. Spiritual warfare is serious business. I would be a fool to shake my fist at Satan and challenge him to bring it on. On, no, not this cat. I’ve had very small tastes of his work. I’m no match. Therefore, I turn to the one who is no match for Satan either, Jesus Christ, except that Jesus is his conqueror.
Colossians 2:15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in death.
Romans 6:10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God.
Philippians 2:8-11 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Mark 4:41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who is this, that even wind and sea obey him?”
1 Corinthians 15:54-57 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immorality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O, death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
You get the idea. The bible is full of equally worthy verses regarding the supremacy of Jesus. Even so, there is one that should not be forgotten:
1 John 4:4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
End of story. I need seek no farther than myself because everything I need is already dwelling inside of me.
Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
Ok, I think I have that. Praying these verses back to God is a very good exercise in driving the point home. Let’s use this last verse as an example.
“Praise to you, my Father of my Savior! You have already given me every spiritual gift and tool that I will ever need or what. Nothing has been kept from me. Everything is already inside of me – and has been since the moment of my conversion. All I need to do is seek you so that I may know them and learn how to use them. Teach me.”
Now, here are my go-to verses. I won’t expand upon them right now.
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
James 4:7-8 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Let me wrap this up with one final passage.
Psalm 91:14-16 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
Hopefully, I have praised and petitioned God and thus averted an attack. If not, I know that he is with me.
Mark 4:40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
Father, sometimes my faith is as small as a mustard seed. I believe; help me in my unbelief. Let not my heart be troubled. Instead, let me believe in you and believe in Jesus. Forgive my sin. I give you all my obstacles. Grant me protection and peace because I am calling out your name. Amen.
Copyright © 2017 Scott Powers