Wednesday // 12th June 2024
Are you prepared to face that hour?
Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns.”
Luke 22:53
Do you know who your real enemy is? These are called “ principalities and powers, the world rulers of this darkness “the spiritual hosts of wickedness”. The fight would be sufficiently hard if only we had to deal with the natural and carnal enemies inherent in our own fallen nature” but we are warned that there are spiritual agencies who enter our lives and stir up and set on fire the evil tendencies within us. Paul calls him “the prince of the power of the air, the Spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” and who is also called “the tempter” and “the accuser of the brethren”
Our Lord well knew the reality of the devil, for He had personally met and fought with him in the wilderness, on the temple pinnacle and on the mountain. All through His earthly life He fought with the devil, and in His last hours He said “This is your hour and the power of darkness”. He warned Peter that the devil had a “desire to sift him as corn is sifted in a sieve” but assured him that He had prayed for him that his faith should not fail. The reality and personality of the devil is recognized as our arch enemy. “Your adversary the devil goeth about like a roaring lion” or he appears as “an angel of light”. He attacks us openly or subtly “We are not ignorant of his devices”. The Christian who denies or ignores the personality and power of the devil is doubly exposed to defeat.
Therefore are we exhorted to resist the devil, remain steadfast in faith. But glory to God that there is an active agency of the Holy Spirit and the angelic hosts of God, always working for our salvation. John tells us to “try the spirits whether they are of God.” This is to guard us against the subtle wiles of the devil. Let us live in Spirit and be prepared for the hour.
Your brother in Christ,
Apostle Ashok Martin