Bible Text: Psalm 46: 1-5
Introduction
From the beginning of time, and since the devil fell from grace, there has been a perpetual enemy that challenge anything and everything that stands with God – John 10:10: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
We are now at an age where there are even more contentions in the heavenly places, fiercer than before between two forces, light and darkness but thanks be to God and our Lord Jesus Christ, for we are standing on the Lord’s side, for victory is SURE
WHY? – John 1: 4-5 – In him was life; and the lif,e was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
When the children of Israel were about to go to war – (Deuteronomy 20:1-4) – When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the Lord thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people, And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them; For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.
People of God, if we are but careful to observe, we would have sensed that the enemy is panicking roaring like a lion (1Peter 5:8), for he knows that his time is limited. He is all out to challenge and dethrone the people of God – Individuals and collectively.
But the Lord is saying, do not be oblivious of your right, which you have in me, stand your ground and I will vindicate you – John 16:33 – These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
People of God, we live in a world full of war and battle, the same and even much more applies to our spiritual life – 2 Corinthians 10: 3-5 – For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
In our journey of life, let it not shock us, neither should we be dismayed when we find ourselves in unusual challenges, or in situations that appears unsurmountable to us, for God is our victory – James 1: 1-5 – My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers’ temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
We are indeed at War – 2 Timothy 2: 4-6 – No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
It is impossible that challenges will not occur, and it is almost impossible that unfavourable situations will not come our way. But the way we see our challenges matters more than the challenges itself
We must not grow weary, and neither should we be discouraged, however long the challenge persists, we must trust God through it all – Galatians 6:9 – And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
This morning God is charging us to stand our ground and fight for our right, which we have in Him
How can I or how can we stand our ground, you ask?
More – Prayer and fasting – (We must tarry in the place of prayer)
Just as breath is the most important to a natural man, so is prayer to a spiritual man – Without this, a man of God cannot do much – 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray without ceasing.
More – Fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit – John 14:16-18 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
More – Fellowshipping with one another – We are to strengthen one another, in fellowshipping together, we are to encourage and lift each other up.
1 Thessalonian 5:11 – Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Hebrews 10:25 – Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevails against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
More – Abiding in His Word – (We must know our right as prescribed in the scriptures – This gives confidence and it assures a child of God that victory is sure, regardless of the storm that is ragging)
Psalm 18:30 – As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
Matthew 24:35 – Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
John 7:38 – He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
In conclusion
People of God, we should not lose heart when we fall into unpleasant situations, neither should we count it as unfortunate when we fall into diverse challenges, but rather, let us “count it all joy when ye fall into divers’ temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience”. – James 1: 2-3
Lastly, the Lord is saying to the church, the same words he spoke to Peter…
Matthew 16:18-19 – And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
PRAYERS
Father, strengthen me and my household to stand for and with You
Let me be an encouragement to your church and my fellow believers
Any instrument or weakness in me that may be used by the enemy to inflict your church, Father please take them away now.
Father, having done all, help your church to STAND – Ephesians 6:13
The sermon was delivered on Sunday, January 19, 2020, on the occasion of a Special Youth Service