Do you ever feel like your whole life is a battle?
Work is a battleground; home is a fight waiting to happen. And even when you are alone, your mind is at war with you!
Isaiah 54:17 is a promise in Scripture and maybe this will give you aid against the constant warfare you are facing.
The historical context of the book of Isaiah is that the nation of Israel (including the southern kingdom of Judah, as well) has been punished for their disobedience and rebellion against God, their King. He warned through many prophets that if they continued to worship other gods and relied on other kings for defense from their enemies, they would face consequences. The Israelites pushed God until He did what He said He would do: send them into exile and give their land over to their enemies.
So we have a battle scenario here. Israel is surrounded by their strong enemies. The kings of the northern and southern kingdoms that made up the nation of Israel were both fully engaged in evil and not interested in seeking God's help! But in the midst of a hopeless situation, God makes a promise that He will keep:
" '...no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from Me,' declares the LORD."
At first glance, this appears to be a contradiction. God is bringing about judgment on His own people; yet He says that no weapon forged (formed) against them would prevail (prosper). What is God really saying?
Earlier in chapter 54 of the book of Isaiah, God says this about His relationship to Israel: "Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame...For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back....Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peace be removed..." Although God follows through with His promise of punishment and exile, He promises to rebuild and restore His people. If you research history, you will discover that God did bring back those exiles 70 years later. (He also rebuilt the nation of Israel in the middle east in 1948).
The reality for Israel - and for us in the 21st Century - is that the battle is not just a physical, geographical or political conflict. In the New Testament letter to the Ephesian Church, Paul wrote: "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." (Ephesians 6:12) The battle is a spiritual conflict; our enemy is unseen, ruling with evil intent. The devil, or Satan, is against God in every way and therefore is attacking God's people with every method and strategy possible!
Isaiah may have been referring to physical weapons, literal metal swords, shields and armour. But in Ephesians, Paul describes the spiritual armour of God for the Christian to wear as our uniform into battle. (Ephesians 6:14-17) Here is the list:
*belt of truth - (John 14:6)
*breastplate of righteousness (Romans 3:22a)
*shoes of the Gospel of peace (Isaiah 52:7)
*shield of faith (Psalm 28:7)
*helmet of salvation (Isaiah 59:17)
*sword of the Spirit (Hebrews 4:12)
As we put on these pieces of armour spiritually - through prayer and faith - we will be able to stand against whatever the devil throws at us. What does he throw? What are his strategies?
*to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10a)
*lies (John 8:44)
*spiritual blindness (2 Corinthians 4:4)
* counterfeit/disguise (2 Corinthians 11:14)
*division among believers (Romans 16:17 & 1 Corinthians 1:10)
Satan isn't creative; he will recycle strategies in every generation and even against you and me if he can be effective in reusing the same old tricks. "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." Don't be fooled by his schemes. They are deceptive and sneaky, but once we have eyes to see and recognize those traps, we can be alert to avoid them.
How do we stand up against this invisible and dark enemy?
1. Submit to God (James 4:7a) - confess any sins, submit your will to God's will.
2. Resist the devil (James 4:7b and 1 Peter 5:9a) - once we have submitted to God, we are under His authority and protection. From this place of safety, we can resist the devil and say NO to his temptations and attacks. Satan must flee as we stand against him in the name of Jesus Christ. (Acts 4:12 and Romans 10:13)
3. Live in obedience to God's Word (John 15:10 and Psalm 119:168) - if we follow the ways taught in the Bible, we will not sin. Sin is what gives the devil opportunity to attack us. When we do sin in a moment of weakness, we simply confess to God, repent of our sin and submit again to God and His Word.
4. Fill our lives with truth and combat the lies (Psalm 119:11) - take in spiritual food daily and your mind will be renewed and your heart full of what is healthy and good.
5. Be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18b) - our power to overcome the evil one is by the Holy Spirit. Ask daily, or more often as needed, for the Spirit to fill you up and live through you.
6. Worship the Lord (Psalm 100 and Colossians 316) - praise is a powerful weapon against darkness and discouragement. The "JOY of the Lord is our strength" (Nehemiah 8:10b) Learn to rejoice even when your emotions aren't in it! We live by faith, not by feelings.
When you are feeling overwhelmed by the battle, remember that "no weapon" that the enemy uses can overcome you as you live under Jesus' authority. You can stand against the devil by faith; you are able to refute every lie and accusation by the enemy with the truth of God's Word! God is for you, not against you!
