Currently, our family is experiencing spiritual attack on a few different fronts, and while I know that ALL things work together for good to them that love God (Romans 8:28), my flesh just wants to be angry and scream about how unfair it all is.
This is why it is so important to know God’s Word.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Ephesians 6:10-18a

When it comes to spiritual battle, you need to know your enemy. My enemy is a murderer, a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). He comes only to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10a). He prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).

In Ephesians 6 it says, “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes…” (v.13)

The Word says that the day of evil will come…and it has even laid out for us what we need for that day. It’s up to us to have what we need, in advance. Just like we don’t study while we are taking a test, we don’t learn how to wear our armor or use a weapon while we are in battle. Putting on the full armor of God comes, BEFORE!

When we are attacked by the enemy, who is the devil (1 Peter 5:8), we need to know who God is. We need to know who we are, in Christ. We need to be able to wield our sword before we ever step onto the battlefield. This takes training. Consistent training. DAILY training.

This morning, I am in battle.

I am spending time in prayer – staying connected to my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my shield and my stronghold (Psalm 18:2).

I am remembering who I am – I am loved (Jeremiah 31:3); remembered (Isaiah 49:15); never forsaken (Deuteronomy 31:8); child of GOD (Romans 8:16; John 1:12).

I know that, through Christ, I am more than a conqueror and nothing can separate me from His love (Romans 8:35-39).

I am praising God for His deliverance…even before I see it with my eyes. And when deliverance does come, I will praise Him even more! Because He is good (Psalm 136:1) and He gives me beauty for ashes, gladness instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair (Isaiah 61:3).

And I am reminding the enemy of the things God has promised me in His Word. He will make my steps firm, and even if I stumble, I will not fall because He upholds me with His hand (Psalm 37:23-24); His grace is sufficient for me, for His power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9); He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3); I can trust Him even when I do not understand what is happening (Proverbs 3:5-6); when I call to Him, He will answer me and show me hidden things that I have not known (Jeremiah 33:3); when I set my hope on Him, He will continue to deliver me (2 Corinthians 1:10b).

I am taking heart because though now, for a little while, I may have had to suffer grief and all kinds of trials. These have come so that my faith – of greater worth than gold…may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when He is revealed (1 Peter 1:6b-7).

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate (me) from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus (my) Lord. Romans 8:38-39

When we are attacked in the spirit, we must fight back in the spirit…by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is the one who teaches us all things and brings them to our remembrance (John 14:26). But we must spend the time in study and prayer in order to have something to bring to our remembrance. Not only has God given us His Word, but also the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us.

Even when I am being attacked, and cannot understand “why” something is being allowed to happen to me (or my family), I trust that God sees the big picture. And as I press into Him and rely on His protection and guidance, even before I see His delivering hand, I can still praise in the storm; in the fire; in the circumstance. I know my God is bigger than anything I could possibly face in this life because of the time I spend with Him.

No matter what you are going through, know that God is near and He will never leave you nor forsake you…so, be strong and courageous! (Deuteronomy 31:6)