Send the Thief Packing

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 5:8-9

Let’s be honest with ourselves, life is a battlefield. The Bible recognizes this when it says ‘You will not fear the terror of the night, not the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday’ (Psalm 91:5-6). The symbols and imageries presented in these two verses alone are not funny at all. For instance, there is ‘terror of the night’ and ‘arrow that flies by day’. That sounds like a battlefield, don’t you think? However, we are not to live in fear, in fact, the Bible says that “for God us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Secondly, we have to understand that the battle is between light and darkness. Thanks be to Jesus Christ who has “delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14). The Devil is searching to and fro looking for ways to steal from God’s people. He is constantly fighting against God’s agenda and plotting to make God a liar. As children of God, it is our responsibility to take our stand in Jesus. We have to know that we have life in abundance in Christ Jesus and the Devil is a liar, in fact, he is the father of all liars (John 8:44).

Lastly, we have to understand that God sealed Devil’s fate right from inception. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ settled it all. We are to live confidently in the power of God because Jesus Christ gave us victory at the cross. Here’s how the Bible puts it, ‘by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him (Colossians 2:14-15). We are to appropriate our victory in Christ Jesus because “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-10).

Dear friends, arise from your slumber and send that thief packing over your home, finances, career etc. Like prophet Isaiah puts it, “Arise and shine for your light has come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you” (Isaiah 60:1). As you seek God’s face, have confidence in God that He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that you can ever ask or imagine according to the power of God at work in you (Ephesians 3:20). Finally, this confidence can only be possible when are in fellowship with God through Jesus Christ. This means that for God’s power to work in you, you need to have a relationship with Jesus Christ because that’s the only name the Devil responds to . If you are yet to give your life to Jesus, here’s an opportunity to ask Jesus to come into your life so that you can obtain the abundant life that can silence the thief forever. God is in your corner and with His provision of life through Christ Jesus, the battle is won!

Action Point: Pray for God’s intervention in your life.

Intercessory prayer: Intercede for individuals who have backslidden, homes at the verge of breakup and families experiencing financial difficulty.

Hymn: In the name of Jesus, in the name of Jesus,

We have the victory.

In the name of Jesus, in the name of Jesus,

Satan, you have to flee.

Oh, what can ever stand before us

When we call on that great name?

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus,

We have the victory.