Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Help Us Against the Dragon’s War (7/31/25)

The Dragon couldn’t win his war against Jesus or Archangel Michael, as covered two and three weeks ago. He was hurled to the earth and kept fighting. This time he waged war directly with the woman, as seen in the rest of 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.

We discussed a few weeks ago that the woman could represent the nation of Israel or people of God. As verse 17 clarifies, we can know for sure that her offspring are those who are followers of Jesus so we are part of the woman’s offspring! Satan couldn’t win against Jesus, Michael, or the woman (since God’s power in and around them was far greater) so he wages war against us.

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 wants to make war against us. It is crucial that we’re aware of the reality of this spiritual warfare.

Even amid this war, we have hope and protection in God. As God took care of the woman, He can take care of us. In Ephesians 6, Paul outlines God’s armor available to us for our protection against Satan’s attacks.  

Ephesians 6:10-18   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. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 

What armor will you and I put on and use today to fight in the Dragon’s war? Will you and I buckle on the belt of truth, put on the breastplate of righteousness, and take up the shield of faith? Let's be intentional about putting on God's armor and standing firm against the devil's attacks.

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Triumph over Satan (7/17/25)

Have you ever witnessed someone’s frustration grow as they lost game after game? We experienced this at our house last night during a speed game. James, the oldest, dominated most rounds, leaving Edmund (4 years younger) upset. Meanwhile, the girls and I didn’t fare much better, but we continued to enjoy playing.

On a much larger scale, the dragon (Satan) was furious about not being able to devour the baby (as we discussed last week). It seems he decided to wage war in Heaven. Let’s see how that turned out:

Revelation 12:7-12   ⁷ Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. ⁸ But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. ⁹ The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

¹⁰ Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:

“Now have come the salvation and the power
    and the kingdom of our God,
    and the authority of his Messiah.
For the accuser of our brothers and sisters,
    who accuses them before our God day and night,
    has been hurled down.
¹¹ They triumphed over him
    by the blood of the Lamb
    and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much
    as to shrink from death.
¹² Therefore rejoice, you heavens
    and you who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea,
    because the devil has gone down to you!
He is filled with fury,
    because he knows that his time is short.”

Did Satan win? Not at all! In fact, he was defeated not only by Jesus but also by Michael and his angels. Although Satan is powerful and currently rules this world, it is reassuring to know that not only is Jesus, but a multitude of angels possess greater power.  

As the temporary ruler of this world, Satan seeks to drag people down with him in a fit of anger and defiance against Jesus’s triumph. Have we, like many, been deceived by Satan’s lies and pursued fleeting earthly success and security? Or are we focused on Jesus’s triumph and pursuing a relationship with Him? We can tap into Jesus’s power to overcome Satan’s temptations for He has already triumphed over Satan. He reigns as the true and eternal ruler of Heaven and earth!