On Guard

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord. We thank God for His faithfulness and His Word. We thank God for the victory that we have in and through God. Blessed be His holy name forevermore, amen.

Primary Text

“Watch ye,...” 1 Corinthians 16v13 (KJV)

“Be alert and on your guard;… 1 Corinthians 16v13 (AMP)

As believers, we have to constantly be on our guard. Indeed, we have authority over the enemy, but we still need to exert that authority. Now it is not always easy, but it is crucial. In Mark 14v38 (KJV), the Lord Jesus said to Peter “Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.” The reality being that “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6v12, NLT). Let’s be sensitive to the Spirit. 1 Peter 5v8-9 (AMPC) tells us “Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset—rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world.” When the wall of Jerusalem was being built back in the time of Nehemiah, there were those who were not happy about it and sought to hinder it. Because of this, Nehemiah and the others prayed and set a watch against them. Standing watch and prayer however go hand in hand. You are alert, you act with wisdom, you do what you can physically, but you are strengthened and fight through prayer.

Supplementary Text

“But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going ahead and that the gaps in the wall of Jerusalem were being repaired, they were furious. They all made plans to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw us into confusion. But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves.” Nehemiah 4v7-9 (NLT)

“I said to them, “Do not leave the gates open during the hottest part of the day. And even while the gatekeepers are on duty, have them shut and bar the doors. Appoint the residents of Jerusalem to act as guards, everyone on a regular watch. Some will serve at sentry posts and some in front of their own homes.” Nehemiah 7v3 (NLT)

“The wicked wait in ambush for the godly, looking for an excuse to kill them. But the Lord will not let the wicked succeed or let the godly be condemned when they are put on trial. Put your hope in the Lord. Travel steadily along His path. He will honor you by giving you the land. You will see the wicked destroyed.” Psalm 37v32-34 (NLT)