Daily encounters with problems, trials and tribulations have been, and always will be
norm for those that are seeking to live Christian life. Resistance from Satan and His government, powers, principalities in high places and demonic activity throughout world, will try to wear us down mentally, physically, emotionally and even spiritually. Whether it be a struggling marriage, financial difficulties, wayward children, drug or alcohol addiction, pornography addiction, anger, jealousy, fear, or so on and so forth, these all become daily battles in our life that we must overcome in order to proceed to greater heights in kingdom of God. Our intimacy and communication with God is temporarily affected by these situations. Apostle Paul gave an excellent testimony to church at Corinth about his bout with enemy:
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 7And lest I should be exalted above measure through abundance of revelations, there was given to me a thorn in flesh, messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8For this thing I besought Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
In Paul’s moment of encountering opposition from Satan, first thing that he did was seek Lord’s counsel, and he immediately received a response. The Lord’s response was that His grace was sufficient for Paul, and that Lord’s strength is perfect for any weakness. But what about Paul’s thorn in his flesh? How does Lord’s strength help Paul?
Paul continues and answers this question following word of Lord: “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that power of Christ may rest upon me.”
We must allow unquenchable, powerful Spirit of Lord to rest on us and abide within us so that He can do work that He wants to do. We don’t have to fight our battles and wage warfare with enemy because Spirit of Lord wants to do that within us and for us. It is in our places of weakness that Holy Spirit builds us up, fortifies us, fights for us, and conquers for us. We can do all things through Christ Jesus!
Psalm 24:7-9 7Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and King of glory shall come in. 8Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, LORD mighty in battle. 9Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and King of glory shall come in.
Yes, our Lord is strong and mighty, and He is mighty in battle. To battle is what Lord wants to do, and He wants to go to battle for us. The Holy Spirit is designed by Father and sent on assignment to do battle on our behalf. Through Holy Spirit, we are able to wage warfare on our enemies in spirit realm, enemies that we don’t see, but Holy Spirit within us is able to discern them and battle them for us.
Ephesians 6:10 10Finally, my brethren, be strong in Lord, and in power of his might.
Here Paul encourages Ephesians to continue to be strong in Lord, and that His might is powerful. “Might” is defined as power, authority, or resources of an individual or group. It is might of Father God, Jesus Christ, Son, and Holy Spirit (each as individuals and together as a group - Trinity) that enables us to excel and triumph in battle.
How do we turn on might of God?
We are able to turn on might of God by obtaining knowledge of Word of God.
Daniel 11:32 32And such as do wickedly against covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.
Those that are able to hear voice of Lord and know Lord shall be made strong in times of trouble, trials and tribulations. Then will people that are able to hear God’s voice be able to do exploits, or heroic acts, for average individual does not possess might, power or knowledge to carry them out.
