For though we live in the body, we do not wage war in an unspiritual way, since the weapons of our warfare are not worldly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
My words…
Praise
I’ve been enraptured by Isaiah’s writings lately. “You will keep the mind that is dependent on You in perfect peace.” (Is 26:3 – not that You need chapter and verse. You said it to Isaiah Yourself!) Perfect peace. Ahh. The Hebrew translation is actually shalom shalom. Peace upon peace. Complete peace. The peace that only comes from Your Spirit. But just as love is magnified after experiencing hate, so is peace fully appreciated in the wake of warfare. Your words, through the Apostle Paul, describe a violent struggle where enemies form lines and take stands. It’s an armor-wearing, shield-bearing, sword-wielding battle unseen by human eyes yet nonetheless real. I prefer to think of Your angels existing with You in a cosmos of shalom shalom, but the Enemy has not surrendered. So You battle unceasingly and unwaveringly. Your archangel brandishes the sword of Truth. The demons shudder.
Prayer for me
Decades ago, when I confessed my belief in You and counted myself among the saved of Your children, I wasn’t aware I entered into unseen warfare. If I had known, I may have turned spirit and run. I, by nature, am not aggressive, confrontational, or battle-smart. Like Bilbo Baggins, I am fond of my chair, books, and tea. But I am part of the “we” Paul wrote about. I am not called to sit back and allow the Enemy to build a trench through my spirit and hole up.
When I am under attack, You implore me to cry out! My first thought should not be, “How am I to handle this by myself?” You are always there to fight for me. All I need to do is let You do Your thing and know You will be victorious.
Forgive me
Your host, Your army, fights my battles for me. Forgive me when I grow weak in my faith and back away, or worse, back down. I do not take every thought captive to obey You. Sometimes I allow destructive thoughts victory over Your peace within me. When the lies of my enemy break out of the prison, it’s because I left the key within reach.
Thank You
Thank You for Your plan to indwell Your children. That was a very good, strategic move. Your Spirit is my Arsenal, so I am drawn to stand and fight rather than sit and wait.
More praise
Evil strongholds crumble at Your touch. Wicked rhetoric is silenced at Your word. You are all mighty, all wisdom, all loving. Together, a perfect, divine combination. Unbeatable.
