Thurs Devo: The Dragon's War

Thank you for your prayers! My sister, Mary, did indeed have her baby last Thursday! Jack arrived at 2:53 pm after about 6 hours of natural labor. Jane (my other sister) and I were able to be with Mary via FaceTime for the last few hours of labor and the birth (thanks to Mark and my Mom and Dad for making sure we stayed connected)!
A new baby is so exciting! However, we all know that it won’t be all roses. Even though the labor and delivery pains are over, there are still recovery pains and adjustment struggles.  The blessings of children take a lifetime of reliance on God, discipline, hard work and perseverance on the part of the parents.
The same is true for the woman in Revelation chapter 12…
Revelation 12:13-17  ¹³ When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. ¹⁴ The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach.¹⁵ Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. ¹⁶ But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. ¹⁷ Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.
War is a strong word. It doesn’t say merely “tempt” or “deceive,” but “wage war against.” If you and I hold to the testimony of Jesus and obey God’s commands, Satan (the dragon) wants to make war against us. Like parenting, we must expect difficulties in our Christian walk but rely on God’s power to remain faithful and persevere.
Ephesians 6:10-13    ¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

God has full armor for us to wear to fight in the Dragon’s war! We must choose to put it on!

Alice