We Don't have To Wring Our Hands, Just Fold Them

486 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 10:7-9, “ Now when David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army of the mighty men. 8 Then the people of Ammon came out and put themselves in battle array at the entrance of the gate. And the Syrians of Zoba, Beth Rehob, Ish-Tob, and Maacah were by themselves in the field. 9 When Joab saw that the battle line was against him before and behind, he chose some of Israel's best and put them in battle array against the Syrians. 2 Sam 10:7-9) Warfare is warfare, whether it be physical or spiritual. The people of Ammon and their hired thugs the Syrians, serve as a type of the the forces of our great enemy.....the devil. Eph 6:12 reminds us that “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” There is but one weapon that men of flesh have against spirit beings and that is prayer. When Joab saw that the battle was before him and behind him, he chose Israel's best warriors to meet the attack from behind. These warriors could be likened to the Christian prayer warriors of today. They are those who, moved by the Spirit, stand in the gap. They know full well that the enemy's greatest threat is from behind. His attacks are more subtle than frontal, and often catch us off guard. Eze 22:30 reminds us that God is looking for mighty men and women of prayer in His church! “So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land,” As Christians we are all called to pray without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17) and even if we don't not know how to intercede, we can always appeal to Jesus Christ, our great Intercessor, who has defeated death and the grave. Heb 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Christians in Muslim dominated countries today, are facing tremendous persecution. Unspeakable acts of violence are being carried out against them and even their children. How helpless we often feel in this situation. What can we do? Well, because of Jesus Christ, we don't have to wring our hands........ just fold them in prayer, and come to the True Seat of Power asking for His intervention. Father,we are helpless to come to the aid of our persecuted brothers and sisters. Please Jesus act with power on their behalf.

A Picture of Temptation

# 143 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 11:1 Then Nahash the Ammonite came up and encamped against Jabesh Gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, "Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you." Nahash whose name means serpent encamps against the subjects of Saul. The word “encamps” means to incline toward, to lean toward. Think in terms of a tent, a lean-to if you will. This is a picture of temptation. The devil, the world, and our flesh, encamp against us, lean against us, putting pressure on us to join in with their godless folly. Seeking to entrap us in sin. This is a very real struggle for the Christian. It is easier to give in to temptation than to fight it, and for fear of the fight, we give in, forgetting that God is on our side and He will fight the battle for us, giving us what we need to overpower the temptation. Jesus has experienced this encampment, this pressure to sin, in absolutely every conceivable way. Heb 2:18 says, “For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” And in Heb 4:15 we read, “ For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” He is willing and able to help you overcome whatever temptation comes your way today. There is no need for you to make a covenant with sin. The idea of a covenant here is to form an alliance of friendship, and as we read in Jas 4:4b, “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” One more thing. “The word “serve” here means to be a slave to, it is “to make weary, fatigued.” Beloved, though the short term temptation to sin may seem attractive and an easy way out, in the long run it will fatigue your soul. It'll wear you out and turn you toward hopelessness. But be of good cheer, there is a way out! Turn away from your sin and turn to Jesus. Let Him deliver you from your slavery! He is willing and able!