Devo Week 21 - Discerning the Unseen Realm
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” Matt.10:16
Journey through the Wilderness - Faith in Action
It’s said ‘if we don’t use it, we lose it’ in physical fitness. I say the same is true spiritually. Active faith builds a healthier, stronger Body. Flexing our ‘spiritual muscles’ through daily exercises of loving, listening, obeying, and following God purifies and matures us. It makes us better fit in times of heavy lifting. When circumstances displace us, or decisions become too weighty, our spiritual discipline helps us bear down, to press into God and push back the evil one.
WHO IS FOR US
God initiates our life of faith through His grace and rewards those who seek and follow Him. (Heb. 11:6) Faith is actively living in relationship with God regardless of the circumstances we are facing. God is the object and source of our faith. In times of trouble, trials and tests, faith strengthens our relationship with God, while unbelief weakens it. If we run into God, the Rock of our salvation (Ps. 62:8), we’ll find refuge in Him, the ‘author and finisher of our faith.’ (Heb. 12:1-2)
WHO IS AGAINST US
Unbelief is one of the central issues we face in spiritual battles. While faith builds, unbelief knocks down. Whether a passing blow, an uppercut, or an outright gut-punch, Satan’s intention is to get us to tap-out, to give up and refuse to believe God. Satan’s goal is to shift our foundation from faith to unbelief.
We often think unbelief is the same as doubt. It’s not. Unbelief is when you see a situation clearly and choose to turn away from God. If Satan can’t impair our vision, to make us misinterpret a situation, he will work overtime to get us to doubt God, especially His goodness. Like with Eve, he’ll tell us lies, particularly ‘white’ lies or half-truths, to cause us to second-guess ourselves or question reality.
In the end, we want to be able to say as the Apostle Paul did, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith." (2 Tim. 4:7)
PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL BREAKTHROUGH
Father, we ask You to purify our faith through our wilderness seasons and any trials we face. Lord, root out fear and unbelief and help us discern the lies of the evil one. Give us the wholehearted faith of Caleb, who saw the giants but chose to trust You. (Num. 14:24) May we serve Your purpose in this generation and bear Your image as people of faith. We pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.