Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

The thief comes only so that he can steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

John 10:10

The devil has been defeated. Hell has been defeated. Death has been defeated. “When he had disarmed the rulers and the authorities, he made a display of them in public, triumphing over them by it” (Colossians 2:15). “Should I redeem them from the power of Sheol? Should I deliver them from death? Where are your plagues, O Death? Where is your destruction, O Sheol? Compassion is hidden from my eyes” (Hosea 13:14). “And when I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead person, and he placed his right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid! I am the first and the last, and the one who lives, and I was dead, and behold, I am living forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and of Hades” (Revelation 1:17-18). Jesus has overcome all of them and everything in life that comes against godliness (John 16:33). But the devil hasn’t stopped. He’s defeated, but can only achieve anything when we agree with him. He has not stopped fighting.

In the War of 1812, Canada was a clear winner. They lost no territory and lost less men in the conflict than their invaders. But the United States wasn’t attacking ‘Canada’ as a sovereign nation. The United States was attacking Canada as a part of the British Empire. The United States were fighting the British. Eventually, Britain and the United States signed a treaty. The war was ‘over’. However, due to the length of time to get information across the Atlantic Ocean, a major battle was fought fully three months after the end of the war in December. It was the battle of New Orleans. It did NOT go well for the British (nor had the battle of Fort McHenry in September where the bombardment failed and the United States remained strong). The Americans dug in, held on, and totally trounced them. It was a clear and spectacular victory. The war was over, but fighting had continued – to no avail. The devil is in this same position. And if we listen to Ruach HaKodesh, we will be victorious.

It’s a simple concept. Stand on the Word and the devil has NO DEFENCE (James 4:7). He kills, Jesus released healing and the Father gives LIFE. He destroys, Jesus enables us to build up, encourage, Bless, and cooperate so that He can restore. He steals, Jesus restores, Blesses, and gives. The devil cannot defend against Jesus, because Jesus already won. He already has the victory. Papers signed signifying His payment for sin. Done deal. The devil can try and cause havoc. He can kick and whine and try to take a city or end some lives, but in the end he is toast – and he knows it (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:14).

Through the ministry of Ruach HaKodesh, we have all the tools we need to stand against the devil. In and through Jesus, we have the authority we need to stand against the devil. In and through Jesus, we have the victory against the devil that Jesus won for us. The devil has nothing to stand on. No matter the bluster, no matter the shouts, no matter the tantrums, he has NOTHING. If we do not cooperate with him, he CANNOT win. A defeated foe has no recourse. They’ve lost. They cant un-lose. They can only take people with them. That is the devil’s plan. Scorched Earth policy. Destroy everything he can, kill everyone he can, and steal the victory that is theirs by right. This is his entire plan. He has NOTHING else.

Why does the devil get three categories and Jesus only one? Because God’s side includes everything good, which is everything that isn’t those three negative things. Think about that. All the devil has is words to destroy, words to bring about death, and words to steal. Jesus has EVERYTHING ELSE. All life, all love, all joy, all kindness, all gentleness, all patience, all goodness, all faithfulness, all self-control, all peace, and everything that derives from these things. If we will listen to Ruach HaKodesh and participate in blessing and giving, healing and comfort, encouragement and support, there will be nothing the devil can do. If we keep our eyes on Jesus and our ears full of the Word, there will be no ground for the devil to stand on. Wherever LIGHT is, darkness cannot be. The devil doesn’t have a defence. As easily as light dispels darkness, Jesus dispels the devil. The devil isn’t an equal or opposite number to Jesus. He isn’t powerful or a potential winner. This isn’t even a battle. This is a hissy fit against THE champion of the universe(s).

Whenever we are in a situation where the devil is trying to steal from us, kill us (or our dreams, visions, goals, relationships, etc), or destroy what we are building with Adonai, Ruach HaKodesh is speaking to us. Reminding us of the promises in the Word that are ours. Reminding us of who the Father is and that He is MORE THAN ENOUGH. Reminding us that we don’t have to give into temptation. Reminding us that the real battlefield is the mind, and we CAN keep ours stayed on Him. Reminding us of who Jesus IS and who WE are in Jesus. He is the guide who will show us again and again what we need to do to send the devil packing. Best part? We don’t even do the sending. All WE need to do is stand. Stand as we listen. Stand as we declare. Stand as we bless. Stand as we encourage. Stand as we embrace Jesus’ life. There’s nothing the devil can do against that. He has NO DEFENCE.

Daily Affirmation of the Goodness of Elohim: John 19:30

“Then when he had received the sour wine, Jesus said, “It is completed,” and bowing his head, he gave up his spirit” Do you ever do long jobs? Even fun ones can be tiring. Whether it’s spring cleaning or yardwork or a report or a jigsaw puzzle, there is a great feeling of relief when things are complete. When they are done. When nothing else remains. All cleanup has been accomplished. Tools and supplies are back where they belong. All that remains is sitting or lying down, letting out a deep breath, and relaxing. It is complete. That feeling of relief is the rest that Jesus established for us through the cross. The room is clean and we are resting. We are resting and the room is still clean. When we get up the room will again be clean and we can remain in our rest. That’s the kind of completeness that Jesus completed. Total. Absolute. All that is left is for us to rest. To rely on His work. To know that as long as we’re in HIS room, there will NEVER be a mess. We will NEVER have to do the work. He did it. He completed it. We can REST in Him. This is the rest of an overcoming victory. The storms will storm, the winds will blow, the waves will strike, the boat will rock; but it stays afloat, it continues sailing, and inside it is calm, warm, and peaceful. It is complete and we can enter His rest in Him. He did it all and He did it so WE can enjoy it. It wasn’t left up to us. HE did it. What a GOOD God!

Your Daily Confession of Elohim’s Goodness:

I taste and see that Yahweh is good; I am blessed because I take refuge in Him.

Psalm 34:8