He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. - 1 John 4: 4
Whatever team sport you follow, you know that defence is vital. A good defensive strategy keeps you in contention, but defence alone doesn't win championships.
The prayer of protection in Psalm 91 has many defensive elements. We have talked about dwelling in the secret place of the Most High, abiding under the shadow of the Almighty, and taking the Lord as our refuge and fortress. We have seen how we are covered under His wings and protected by an angelic army. Now that we have got our defensive game covered, are you ready to play some offensive?
Certainly, there are times and seasons when the best thing to do is to take cover and to allow ourselves to be sheltered. The Lord is our safe house, our hiding place, and our impenetrable fortress, and I love that we get to take refuge in Him. But the prayer of protection also declares this in verse 13: “You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.”
That’s taking an offensive position. That's going on the attack. That's taking authority!
In the Gospel of Luke, we see our Lord Jesus sending seventy disciples out against the kingdom of darkness , as “lambs among wolves” (Luke 10:3). Have you ever seen a lamb overpower a wolf? Of course not. You see, this authority that we are talking about is not natural authority. Like the lamb, you and I have no power in and of ourselves. This is a supernatural authority that comes from our Lord Jesus Christ, just as the strength that enabled Samson to tear apart the young lion was a supernatural strength.
The portrayals of Samson I have seen depict a massive and muscular man. I think he could have been small and scrawny, but endued with supernatural power and might from God. Naturally speaking, for Samson to take on the lion with his bare hands was like a lamb taking on a ferocious wolf. But we know that He who is in us is greater than any predator that is in the world. Amen!
My friend, in Christ, you are far stronger than you think you are. You may not look it or feel it, but God always uses the weak things of this world to confound the wise and mighty (1 Corinthians 1:27). Remember, the race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. It is the Lord who ultimately determines who shall emerge victorious. And since the Lord is for you, who can be against you (Romans 8:31)!
Today's Prayer
Father in heaven, thank You for Your promise that I will tread upon and trample the enemy underfoot. Thank You that in Christ Jesus, You have endued me with supernatural power and might to not be afraid of the enemy and to have victory over him. I declare that greater is He who is in me than the enemy who is in the world. Amen.
Today's Thought
I have no power in and of myself, but I have supernatural authority and power through the Lord Jesus Christ to trample the enemy underfoot.
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Prince, Joseph. The Prayer of Protection Devotional: Daily Strategies for Living Fearlessly In Dangerous Times.