July 14

If, indeed, “…the joy of the Lord is your strength,” as is declared in Nehemiah 8:10 then it stands to reason that the enemy of your soul will endeavor in every way at his disposal, to steal your joy. It’s a ‘two-fer’ for him. When he gets your joy, he robs you of your strength, too! What a sly rascal!

The evil one wants you to be ineffective in your service to the Kingdom of Christ, to the edification of your children in the nurture and admonition and wisdom of the Lord, and to the strengthening of yourself in the inner man. The enemy of your soul will endeavor to trip you up in your pursuit of any goal that glorifies Christ.

How can the person of faith counter the continual bombardment of his soul and mind and spirit from that unseen place in the heavenlies where powers and principalities dwell and from which the assault against him is orchestrated by the one who came to steal, kill and destroy all who are Christ’s?

The answer, at least in part, is found in II Samuel 22:31 where it says, “As for God, His way is perfect; the Word of the Lord is tried. He is a Shield to all those who trust and take refuge in Him." What the man of God cannot do in his own resolve can be accomplished through the One he makes his joy and strength!