"The devil couldn't take you out so he's trying to wear you out. Don't you dare get tired. Hold on because the tide is about to turn in your favor." This was a meme I saw on Facebook recently.
I was feeling a bit worn out and frustrated with myself recently. I was feeling spiritually stagnated, as if I was treading water instead of growing. I felt myself getting tired of trying. Top this spiritual tiredness with oral surgery and a reaction to the anesthisia and I was just done. And then I saw the above. What a God visit!
I saw needed to hear this. I needed to be reminded of Satan's tactics and not to fall for them. Ephesians 6:10-12 10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
And how do I know this was a spiritual attack? Well, we've decided to get a Vacation Bible School going at church, so I've been helping to work towards that. We've also started a prayer group. Satan doesn't want us doing anything to reach others or affect the spiritual realm, so he attacks those who go after those things. If you are trying to come up to new levels spiritually, working to do something new for the Lord, or trying to advance the kingdom in any way, you can expect resisitance. Knowing we are under attack may not lesson the attacks themselves, but it can change our reaction to it. We know then we need to fight spiritually...with the Word of God (as Jesus did when He was tempted in the wilderness), praise, worship, and thanksgiving.
Satan will try many ways to take us out of the running when it comes to working for God's kingdom. When we seek to do His will, and share His love we will find resistence. And it can take many forms. For me, it came in spiritually weariness and physical discomfort and exhaustion. Maybe for you it could be a financial attack (I've had those too lol) or relationship difficulties. It's always something to get our focus off our Savior and the work we are doing for Him. 1 Peter 5:8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
Lord please give us discernment for when we are under spiritual attack. Help us to submit to You and resist the devil. The more we live our lives for You the more we become a target. But that is a good thing! Give us the strength to stand as You did. And help us to rest in You and find our peace no matter what the enemy throws at us. There is so much more then our own comfort. Let us stand firm. And let us be encouraged when we see difficulties come as we seek to do Your will, knowing that we are on the right track. Satan will not attack someone who is not living for You. We love You and bless Your Name. Amen.
Put on your armor.
Ephesians 6:10-19 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 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. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
I was so blessed and encouraged by those few words on Facebook that I found myself able to get up and get going for the Lord. I'm still tired from the anesthesia, but I know with a little extra rest I can then get back at whatever it is the Lord has for me to do. And with that physical rest also comes spiritual rest...and that is spending time with the Lord, in His Presence getting renewed and refreshed.
