Soldiers in combat expect the enemy to attack, but they do not accept the attack; they repel it.
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John 15:18 – If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
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During the winter I expect cold weather, even some snow, sleet, and freezing rain, but I refuse to allow inclement weather to rule my life. I have a real enemy in life named Satan, by whom I fully expect to be attacked with all manner of attacks. But I refuse to allow him or any of his devices to rule over me. ONE rules over me, and He is my Lord and Master, and His Name is Jesus. to Him and Him alone do I bow my knee in any affair of this life. When circumstances rise and loom ominously on my horizons, I stand prepared for battle to fight against them, utilizing the armor of God He has given me.
Now once again, you should fully expect the enemy of your soul to attack you and use every device at his disposal, including the element of human device. Men will persecute you, defame you, slander you, curse you, and do every possible manner of evil against you; expect it. But when it comes against you, don’t do what the enemy expects; don’t fight against flesh and blood, don’t fear, don’t doubt, don’t worry, don’t complain, don’t murmur, and don’t surrender. Instead, do what your heavenly Father expects you to do, and that is to be obedient to the Word of God. “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.”
And it’s not just the human element that Satan will use. He will use sickness, disease, physical circum-stances, financial pressures, doctor’s reports, and even legal and government pressures. When such temptations come, your answer is once again obedience to the Scriptures. “Count it all joy…knowing…” Such action requires knowledge of God’s Word, and the more intimate and personal such knowledge is, the greater the resulting joy in the battle. And why “joy?” For the “joy of the Lord is your strength.” So take hold of this truth; expectation does not mean acceptance. Expect Satan to be Satan; expect him to do what he does. But remember the answer is for you to do what YOU should do, and that is being obedient to Father. Live a life that causes the enemy to expect what he can’t handle; THE WORD!
Manna for Today – John 15:18-27; 1 John 3:11-16; Luke 6:22-27; Matthew 5:3-18 & 44; James 1:1-8
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My Second Miler by Dr. Beechard Moorefield 