Sunday, September 9, 2012

Day 9: Our Epic Battle.

Before we read Proverbs 9 and Psalm chapters 42-45, ask God to open your heart and mind to receive any truth he has for you today.

-Read Scripture-

You know that quintessential scene in your favorite cartoon/show where the little angel is on one shoulder and the little devil is on the other? Or the scene in your favorite movie when an enemy is tempting your protagonist and you are biting your nails, knowing what could hang in the balance...



Why do we get so invested in these stories? They resonate with us because we identify with them. We identify with feeling torn, tempted, and dealing with the choice between good and evil. We live in a constant state of battle. You may not feel like you are living in the middle of "Lord of the Rings", but it is just as epic non the less.

Proverbs 9 tells us of two opposing forces, both vying for our hearts and minds:

Lady Wisdom, "She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point in the city, 'Let all who are simple come to my house!'" Proverbs 9: 3-4 TNIV

Lady Folly, "She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way, 'Let all who are simple come to my house!'" Proverbs 9: 14-16 TNIV

Spiritual warfare is very real and it is happening all around you, wether you believe it or not. Wether it scares you or not. Most importantly, wether you are prepared for it or not. The bible is super clear:

"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." Ephesians 6:12 NKJV

Everyone falls in one of two categories, you are either being fought for, or fought against. You are either choosing between the two Proverbs Ladies, or if you have already chosen Lady Wisdom, you are being fought against!

We've already established that you never know what hangs in the balance of our decisions, but when you understand that you have an enemy, who's only goal is to destroy you, then you tend to look at things differently. You begin to understand the weight of certain decisions.

The biggest gift/weapon that we have is the Holy Spirit. Sometimes when I read Psalms I feel sad for the Old Testament followers who didn't have the spirit. But that didn't stop David from understanding where his power and victory came from, "You are our victory, pushing back the enemy; at the sound of your name, we crush the opposition. I don't trust in my weapons or in my strength to win me victory. " Psalm 44:5-6 The Voice

God is our victory, and he lives IN us. We should never fear the enemy or his attacks, we should live and fight boldly, flying our God colors. :)

Going back to Lord of the Rings, even though Frodo had all the help he needed, if he had not realized he was in the middle of an epic journey/battle, he would not of lasted very long. If he had refused to accept that his life was being threatened, he would not of made it to act 2.

It's time we get our heads in the game and realize what we are in the middle of. It's time to wake up and join the fight! It's time to realize that God needs YOU to accomplish & protect what his enemy is trying to steal and kill. Choose Lady Wisdom, then get ready for the opposition.

1 comment:

Jess Namy said...

This is so great! I love what you said about had Frodo not realized he was in an epic battle he would not have lasted very long. The idea of knowledge of the battle being the first step in fighting the battle we are in is awesome!