Only by your power can we push back our enemies; only in your name can we trample our foes. I do not trust in my bow; I do not count on my sword to save me. You are the one who gives us victory over our enemies; you disgrace those who hate us.
Psalm 44:5-7
When it comes to my Christian walk, there is one thing that I seem to forget over and over again: spiritual warfare. This morning, I received a text message from a friend encouraging me to read Ephesians 6:10-20, and I was reminded, yet again, of the importance of understanding that there is a war going on in an unseen (although not unperceived) world.
Reading the words from Ephesians in which Paul describes how our war is not against flesh and blood is something that I try to constantly have in my mind, but so many times, I will forget the implications of what that means. I need it to be constantly on my mind; an awareness that there is an ongoing battle for the people of this world will always change perspective.
Going back to the beautiful poetry of the Psalms, we will find many references to the psalmist’s plea for victory over enemies. Now, many of them reference physical confrontation, but the spirit of the prayers found in the Psalms seems to indicate that the writers understood the concept that their true battle was not against flesh and blood. The psalmists rarely seem to ask God to actually strengthen their human efforts.
For instance in Psalm 44, we find the psalmist calling out to God and saying that there is no trust in the bow or the sword. Instead, the psalmist understands where the true victory comes from – the Lord and only the Lord. Their talk seems to indicate an understanding that the real war going on was supernatural; their hands could do nothing to win the fight for them.
How often do I go into various situations trusting in my own sword and shield to save me? I will walk blindly into situations and forget to even consider praying. I feel the darts and fiery arrows, and I swipe my human efforts through the air in vain attempt to do battle against spirit.
Don’t fail to understand the importance of seeing the spiritual warfare going on in even your everyday circumstances. Don’t fail to take Paul’s advice in Ephesians 6 and gear up with the true armor of God. Trust in Him and His mighty power to overcome even the most mundane of instances; because Satan loves to make us think that the seemingly insignificant ruts of life matter little against the span of eternity. Very easily, can they matter much if we refuse to fear going to war against the unseen princes and principalities.
Pray.
Cross Section 