Don’t Let the Devil Win SHARON JAYNES

Don’t Let the Devil Win

SHARON JAYNES

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-4

It was a beautiful, crisp February morning when my new fiancé Steve and I traveled from our college town to his family’s home to announce our engagement. The night before, God had decorated His creation with a dusting of snow. All of nature looked as if it were dressed for a wedding.

After the grand announcement and a warm meal, we headed back to school. The day had warmed and melted most of the snow, but nightfall brought freezing temperatures and slick roads. As we neared our school, we began descending a hill and encountered a patch of ice. The tires hit the slick surface, and the car spun out of control.

“Steve! We’re headed straight for that car,” I cried out, as a set of oncoming headlights shone through the windshield.

Seeing there was nothing he could do, Steve took his hands off the steering wheel and cried out, “Oh, God! Save us!”

One second we were headed directly toward an oncoming car. The next, we were sitting off the side of the road in a ditch, facing the opposite direction — with our bodies pinned safely back against our seats.

“How did we miss that car?” I asked. “Where did it go?”

Shaken, Steve replied, “There’s only one answer to those questions: God.”

God. He is our Protector in times of trouble (Psalm 18:3), our Shield in times of danger (Proverbs 30:5) and our Fortress in times of attack (Psalm 91:1-2). Not only that, God promises to “command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:11).

God protects us not only in the physical realm that we can see, but also in the spiritual realm against forces we can’t see. The Bible says, “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).

A spiritual battle rages around our relationships as the devil attempts to kill, steal and destroy. (John 10:10) He would like nothing better than to destroy marriages — what God has established as an earthly reflection of Christ’s love for the Church. The devil sets traps of danger and destruction in the path of God’s people in hopes of catching us unaware and ill-prepared. Be ready. Don’t let him win.

Only God can fully protect our marriage and our spouse. And He invites us to participate in unleashing His power through prayer. Through prayer, the enemy’s plans are intercepted; the principalities and authorities are defeated.

When I pray for my husband, I pray Scripture over him from head to toe. As I pray for his back, I pray for his protection in the physical and spiritual realm with the assurance that no weapon formed against him will succeed. (Isaiah 54:17) Today, I invite you to join me in praying for your husband. If you’re single, pray for the important men in your life.

Dear Lord, just as the prophet Elisha was confident that the warring angels surrounding him were greater than the enemy who sought to do him harm, I pray my husband will be confident that Your power surrounding him is greater than anyone or anything that might seek to do him harm. Even though he may not see Your mighty host, reassure him he’s under Your protective care. Hem him in — as you go behind and before him. Rescue him from danger, and protect him from harm. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:

Psalm 139:5, “You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.”

2 Thessalonians 3:3, “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.”