Tag: Isaiah 54:17
Day 4–Don’t Fear Evil
Scripture reading for June 11: Luke 9:1-2 “And He called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.” Isaiah 54:17“. .no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication is from Me., declares the Lord.”
When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He instructed them to ask: “Deliver us from evil (the evil one).” (Matthew 6:13) One of man’s basic fears is of evil and the evil one. This comes from the fall in the Garden of Eden when the serpent enticed Eve with his lie to become like God. For most this is an unspoken fear that can also bring torment.
As Jesus sent His disciples out two by two, He gave them authority over disease and demon spirits. They were to proclaim the kingdom of God as having arrived in Jesus Christ and spoil Satan’s kingdom by healing disease and sending away demonic forces. They weren’t to fear evil, but overcome evil with doing good and proclaiming victory over evil and the evil one through Jesus Christ as Lord. This was walking out the Scripture in Isaiah 54:17 by faith that no weapon of evil formed against God’s people would succeed. Through divine authority they will refute the lies of Satan. As God’s children they had an inheritance from God of His authority and His vindication through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
First responders often face forces of evil and darkness in every arena of service. The battle we face is not flesh and blood, but wicked spiritual forces in heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12) As believers in Jesus, we do not operate in fear but by faith overcome the evil with good. (Romans 12:21) We remember that we are children of God and enjoy a heritage of authority in Jesus’ Name and are made righteous by Him. Evil forces will not succeed in their lies or destruction.
Prayer: Father God, by faith I receive Your instruction to pray for daily deliverance from evil and forces of Satan. Help me to remember Whose I am and my heritage from the Lord of authority and favor. Amen.
Day 2–Blessings of Abiding
Scripture reading for May 26: Psalm 91:3-6 “For He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.”
The psalmist made personal declarations of his choice to abide in God Almighty and Most High for his refuge and fortress. He claimed a personal possession of relationship with ‘my God.’ In this next section of the psalm, it is a more corporate declaration of the blessing of abiding. Here the psalmist refers to God’s protection as a person or people being covered with an eagle’s wing feathers. God is faithful in all He promises. His faithfulness is a ‘shield and buckler’ to those who are depending on Him. God’s faithfulness covers His trusting people like what is described in the New Testament as a shield of faith. (Ephesians 6:16)
The protection of God covers seen and unseen enemies. The snare of the fowler refers to a trap set to catch birds. They are enticed to the trap, and then suddenly caught by the fowler. A pestilence is an unseen disease or plague whose germs are invisible. They are inadvertently picked up and infect the body bringing disease and death. They are like demonic forces that attack in darkness and then destroy. The arrow by day is likened to an attack of an enemy or demonic force aimed particularly at a person or nation that is known to be coming. Our Almighty God will be a refuge for us to shelter in. He will by His power defeat attacks in darkness and defend us from the arrows of Satan aiming to take us out.
We can see how this psalm applies particularly to us as first responders and those facing dangers that are seen and unseen. God’s faithfulness to do what He has promised is our shield and buckler. We simply and humbly declare our trust and claim by faith His covering and defense. No pestilence can take us out. No weapon formed against us shall succeed! (Isaiah 54:17)
Prayer: Father God, the Most High and Almighty, I take refuge under Your wings today. I trust You to keep me from snares, arrows, pestilence and disease. Your faithfulness is my shield. Amen.