Trending News This Week:
- Islamic State militants have blown up the Arch of Triumph, a major monument in the 2,000-year-old Roman city of Palmyra.
- The International Monetary Fund cut its global growth forecast, citing China’s economic slowdown, which has hammered commodity prices and hurt the emerging markets that export them, and even rippled to the U.S. by sparking a sell-off in stocks.
- NATO says Russian ground troops are in Syria; Turkey’s airspace has been violated again.
Conflict in Syria is escalating, along with tension between the U.S. and Russia. Meanwhile, global economies are collapsing. Is prayer enough to change the direction of these devastating events? What promises from the Lord can we stand on to claim protection?
There are 365 verses in the Bible that tell us not to fear—basically, one for every day of the year. Why do you think God emphasized that point? Because we are to remember, no matter how bad things appear, that He is our shepherd, our refuge, our shield and buckler, under His wings we abide. He has promised that He will neither leave us nor forsake us.
The enemy tries to get us into a cycle of fear, which opens the door for him to attempt to bring destruction upon us. We must choose, though, to put on the full armor of God and resist him. James 4:7 tells us: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
It is an active decision to resist the devil. You must consciously determine that you will abide in the promises of God and stand steadfast on the Word.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Ephesians 6:13-17
Victory and protection come only when we obey God and resist the devil. When we abide in His Word, His Word will abide in us, and we will be overcomers of every fiery dart of the enemy.
Say this faith declaration out loud: “I will not fear. Instead, I will put on the full armor of God and stand strong against the enemy, wearing the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the breastplate of righteousness. My sword is the Word of God, which I will wield to defeat the enemy every time he tries to come against me.”
Scripture Reading:
. . . “Be strong and courageous! . . . Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Deuteronomy 31:7-8, NLT
I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4, NLT
The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
Psalm 121:7-8