He Is Able

# 82 – Today's Du-votional comes from 1Sa 6:16 So when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day. 17 These are the golden tumors which the Philistines returned as a trespass offering to the LORD: one for Ashdod, one for Gaza, one for Ashkelon, one for Gath, one for Ekron; 18 and the golden rats, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both fortified cities and country villages, even as far as the large stone of Abel on which they set the ark of the LORD, which stone remains to this day in the field of Joshua of Beth Shemesh. (1 Sam 6:16-18) Not one part of Philistia was left untouched by the judgment of God. It was thorough. Every major city, ever little town and village was affected. Every principality then acknowledged God's superiority as evidenced by their offerings of gold. This is a picture of the ultimate victory of Jesus over the devil and his demons. It was a foreshadowing of what is spoken of in Col 2:15, “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” The large “stone of Abel” is mentioned as a monument to God's victory over the powers and principalities that had their grip on the Philistines. Are you a baptized believer in the Lord Jesus Christ? Then this victory is your victory. God ruled the Philistines and their lords then, He rules the devil and his demons now. They can only go so far as He allows. Remember: 1Jo 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. And by the way, it is a good idea to create your own monuments. Mark them down. Make note of the times that God has showed up in your life and given you victory. I have a file in my computer marked thanksgiving stones for just such occasions. They serve as reminders to me when I struggle, that God is faithful and powerful and more than able to accomplish what concerns me today.