Whipped 5 times, beaten by rods 3 times, stoned, shipwrecked 3 times, bitten by a snake, adrift at sea for a day, often without food, and arrested several times—Paul the apostle spent in total about 5 to 6 years of his life in jail.
Facing near death along with several other struggles, Paul found himself in a war, but he knew that it wasn’t people he was fighting against. In Ephesians 6:12, Paul informs us of an unseen realm that has influence over the thoughts and values of entire people groups.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
We were born into a war. The opponent isn’t our neighbor, a political party or country that threatens our freedom. This war is not human-centered, it is centered on a spirit realm.
The attack is not on us—it’s on the Kingdom of God that lives inside of us. This war belongs to God, and He has already won.
Jesus took on all sin, sickness, disease, trauma, and abuse and then rose from the grave to be seated “Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:” (Ephesians 1:21).
Knowing this, we have great hope in our Advocate, whose throne withstands all principalities and powers. His victory over evil is our inheritance.
As sons and daughters, we fight from victory, not for victory. This knowledge fills us with peace that crushes Satan under our feet.
Romans 16:20
And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Jesus died and rose so that we could live in His victory, taking it on as our identity. In the middle of storms, we can rest in the Prince of Peace, reminding the enemy that he has already been defeated. The victory belongs to Jesus, and His victory is ours.
Raise a Hallelujah
King Jehoshaphat was the king of Judah and Jerusalem, and had just received word from the prophets that three armies—the Ammonites, Moabites and the people of Mount Seir—were coming to war against him and his people. Larger, stronger and bigger than Judah’s people, these armies had one goal—total annihilation. It was a time of great fear and panic among the people of Judah and for Jehoshaphat as well. He proclaimed a fast throughout the land and called the people together for assembly. Kneeling before God on his face, Jehoshaphat sought the Lord and called upon His name. While he prayed, the Spirit of God fell on one of the prophets who said,
2 Chronicles 20:17
Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of theLordwith you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for theLord will be with you.
The next day came, and it was a classic Bible scene. Jehoshaphat prepares his army according to the Lord’s instructions, but he implements his own idea that changes everything. Jehoshaphat appointed singers and musicians to stand at the front lines of Judah’s army, commanding them to sing, “And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto theLord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise theLord; for his mercy endureth for ever.” (2 Chronicles 20:21).
To put your most vulnerable and untrained civilians at the front lines of battle is a weak war strategy, but Jehoshaphat chose to partner with what God was saying by tapping into a heavenly strategy—giving thanks before he won the battle. Jehoshaphat made his weapon a melody.
Jehoshaphat and his army sang praises as they marched forward to go to battle, creating a place of entrance for God to come into their situation. This is what happened next.
2 Chronicles 20: 22
22 And when they began to sing and to praise, theLordset ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
God is waiting for us to sing in the middle of our storms and remember who He is despite our circumstances. After the Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites killed each other, Judah collected a spoil from their camps.
*Devotional retrieved from https://my.bible.com/reading-plans/14107-victory