As believers who have said a hearty YES to God, who want what God wants for the lost to be found in Him, a battle begins to escalate rapidly.  That’s why it is important to know God, know ourselves, know where we stand with God, and know our enemy.  Satan, the fallen angel of God, who wants to be God, has a war-hungry band of demons who battle us daily with evil, degrading thoughts causing distractions from God’s work in us and through us.  His schemes are relentless, causing disruptions and frustrations so we will give up and quit doing what God wants.  How will we respond to this daily battle?  On our knees!

What the evil one hates most of all are believers on their knees crying out to God in Jesus Name.  Satan knows he cannot win but that doesn’t stop him from pestering us daily until we give up.  Will we?

Our psalm today is a prayer before battle from David and the people who pray for David  to claim victory as their king of Israel.  They are asking God for help and thanking God for the victory over the enemies of Israel.  Did you get that!?  They are planning a victory celebration knowing God will defeat the enemy!

What if we prayed expecting victory each day from our real enemy, Satan?  What if we called out to God, on our knees, bowed in humble adoration of God, in Jesus Name, thanking him for the victory before the battle even begins today?

Pause to think about it.  Take all the time you need.  I did.

Our accompanying Proverb teaches us to seek God’s truth along with wise advice before doing anything.  Do we ask God what HE wants for our day while praying for our daily needs as we see needs?  Maybe, just maybe, He has something much better, more than we could ever think or imagine!

Are you planning the victory as you pray today?  Let us praise God from whom all blessings flow!  No matter what, God wins.  Remember that.

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 20, The Message

A David Psalm

^1-4 God answer you on the day you crash,
The name God-of-Jacob put you out of harm’s reach,
Send reinforcements from Holy Hill,
Dispatch from Zion fresh supplies,
Exclaim over your offerings,
Celebrate your sacrifices,
Give you what your heart desires,
Accomplish your plans.

⁵ When you win, we plan to raise the roof
    and lead the parade with our banners.
May all your wishes come true!

⁶ That clinches it—help’s coming,
    an answer’s on the way,
    everything’s going to work out.

^7-8 See those people polishing their chariots,
    and those others grooming their horses?
    But we’re making garlands for God our God.
The chariots will rust,
    those horses pull up lame—
    and we’ll be on our feet, standing tall.

⁹ Make the king a winner, God;
    the day we call, give us your answer.

TRUTH: “everything’s going to work out.”

Proverb 12:13-19, The Message

Wise People Take Advice

¹³ The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble;
    the conversation of good people keeps them out of it.

¹⁴ Well-spoken words bring satisfaction;
    well-done work has its own reward.

¹⁵ Fools are headstrong and do what they like;
    wise people take advice.

¹⁶ Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly;
    the prudent quietly shrug off insults.

¹⁷ Truthful witness by a good person clears the air,
    but liars lay down a smoke screen of deceit.

¹⁸ Rash language cuts and maims,
    but there is healing in the words of the wise.

¹⁹ Truth lasts;
    lies are here today, gone tomorrow.

WISDOM:  Wise people take advice from truth filled people who love God.  Truth lasts, lies do not.  Go with Truth.

Abba Father,

Thank you for advice, help in trouble, listening to the cries of our hearts. Thank you for helping us daily to win the battle over satan’s attacks. Thank you for victory that you will provide today!

In Jesus Name, Amen! Yes, and Amen! I believe.