Winning the Battles of Life

UV 1721/10000 Winning The Battles of Life
He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
Psalm 55 v 18
Life is not easy at the best of times. It is difficult for the best of us. We are fighting battles all the time in different domains and areas of our lives: the home front, the professional front, the workplace, the streets, in the public space, in the mind and heart, in the spirit. The Lord promises to deliver us from all these battles and gives our souls or innermost being the peace that passes understanding, overcoming circumstances, adversities, opponents. In fact, the uni-verse states it as a fait accompli- “He has delivered my soul in peace from the battle”. We are able to overcome as He who is with us is greater than he that is with them. God is greater than all the power and wiles of the enemy of our souls. He who is in us is greater than he who is in them. They who are with us are greater in number and strength than they who are with them: the angels. Jesus said that if He prayed, His Father in heaven would send twelve legions of angels or more than a thousand angels to deliver Him.

The faith affirmation that we sing, “ We shall overcome” is based on an intimate relationship with the Lord. We realize that no weapon man or evil design has forged can harm us in any way. An array of forces may be against us but these are never greater than the army of Jesus: the chariots of fire that transported Elijah. He who attempts to touch us or afflict us or attack us touches the apple of God’s eye. With them is the arm of flesh but with us is the army of God. We only need to stand and be still for the Lord will fight our battles. It does not mean we remain passive and uninvolved but that we labour in prayer and the spirit. We do not try to “help God” but God helps us in all our ways and battles. We also need to do due diligence or do all that lies with us to do in a particular area or matter.

We win or loose battles with the attitudes of our hearts and minds. More than half the battle is won or lost in the human heart and mind. The equivalent of territory for a conqueror in wars of old or even of the modern day are what our heart and mind space mean to our common adversary. He is very subtle , cunning and deceitful. We need to be wise, faithful, courageous and strong in order to defeat Him. The blood armour of faith in Jesus and the sharp sword of the Word strengthens and equips us from within to fight every battle. Like in any battle, we need to hold our ground, make strategic advances in different areas and beat strategic retreats when required. We have an invincible Commander –in –Chief in Jesus for neither the power of man nor the power of the enemy nor the power of death or of sin could defeat Him. We have vicarious victory by faith and grace as we place our complete faith and maintain undivided focus on Jesus. Victory is our second "birth right", salvation or eternal life being the first.

Prateep V Philip