BIblical Devotions for Reflection and Meditation
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rules of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
All people have conflicts in life. Everything does not always go the way we think it should. The road of life is a bumpy one and there are many obstacles to our goals. There is also much suffering in this world. Perhaps we attribute this suffering to bad luck or fate. If we buy into the metaphysical world, then we believe that we attract circumstances to ourselves based on the energy that we put out into the universe. Regardless of our philosophy to as why things happen, the truth is that there is a war going on in the spiritual realm between good and evil. The prince of this world has his army of angels and he also has an agenda. God, who rules in heaven, uses his angels to protect his children and to bring the chosen to salvation. Children of God here on earth should join the fight by using the weapons that God has given us.
Paul goes on to list the weapons of spiritual war that God has given us in Ephesians 6:13-17. When a soldier goes to battle he wears a uniform. He has something to protect his torso area and his chest, like a bullet proof vest. He wears boots and a helmet. The soldiers in Paul’s time carried a shield and a sword. The spiritual weapons that God has given us are there to protect us and help us win the fight. We can use God’s truth, his righteousness, the gospel, our faith, our salvation, and his Word. Christians do not fight with fists, guns and swords. Christians should be wise enough to know that we have a spiritual adversary that seeks to devour us that can only be defeated by our obedience to God (see 1 Peter 5:8).
By praying, sharing the gospel message, strengthening our faith, and following God’s commandments, Christians can defeat the enemy and help God win the spiritual war that is so prominent today.
Hebrews 12:6
For who the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Even if a person does not have children, he could probably imagine what he would do if his son tried to put a nail in an electrical outlet. For parents, the answer is already quite obvious. The child would need to first of all be stopped from doing that, and secondly be taught that he should not do it again. If the child is too young to understand that what he is doing is harmful to him, then the parent might do something to prevent him from doing it again. Strict discipline might be in order.
This is how God protects us from harming ourselves. The laws given to us by God in the Old Testament, and the new laws given to us by Jesus, are there to help us and protect us from harm in this journey of life. We should thank God daily that he has given us guidance and direction to finding peace and joy in life.
When a person first becomes a Christian it is exactly as if he is born again. It is as if he is a little child and needs to be taught how to walk and speak. God is our Father and he cares for us very much. If the life that we are living has its trials and tribulations, maybe we should examine how we are living. If we are not being completely obedient, God might be trying to adjust our behavior. God wants us to be conformed into the image of his son (Romans 8:29). God looks at us very much like a piece of gold that was just mined from the ground (see Proverbs 27:21). Before the gold can be used, it must be refined. This refining is the chastening that we experience.
The next time we find ourselves saying “why is this happening to me”, let’s look to God and his character. Let’s try to find the answer to our issues in life from God’s Word. God loves us very much. Everything that he does for us and to us is out of love. Imagine the love that would have for your child. This is the kind of love that God has for you. He deserves the same kind of love in return.
Hosea 6:6
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
How do we please God? What does God want from us? It is very evident that above all God wants our heart. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees in the Old Testament when he quoted Isaiah to them (see Matthew 15:8). It angers God when his people create a showing to other people and yet are hypocrites. Consider the publican who said his prayers in public and boasted of how much he fasted and gave tithes. Jesus rebuked him and compared him to the man that was humble before the Lord saying “this man went down to his house justified rather than the other” (see Luke 18: 10-14).
The book of Hebrews declares that “without faith it is impossible to please God” (see Hebrews 11:6). Although it is important to fast and to give tithes to the church, these actions are a result of a strong faith. God would rather that you have a deep understanding of him and be obedient to his Word than give all your money to the poor (see 1 Corinthians 13: 3). It is the relationship and communion with us that God wants. This is why he created us. We are his inheritance just as much as He is ours. By obeying and acting as his children, we become a sweet smelling savor unto him (2 Corinthians 2:15).
God’s laws are just and right. If we abide in his commandments we will treat others fairly and with love. God wants this more than monetary gifts. It is the eternal things that God cares about rather than temporal. All the money in the world has no value compared to obedience (Proverbs 21:3) This is how we show our love for God by loving our brethren (see 1 John 4:21). And how can we love God if we do not know him. Let us put aside the unimportant knowledge of the world and glorify the knowledge of God (see Jeremiah 9:24).
