Resist him

 "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings."

— 1 Peter 5:8-9

Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King,

I have an enemy. He's the adversary, the accuser, the father of lies. He spends his time roaming to and fro across the earth searching for souls to consume. That has been his strategy since the beginning. He isn't satisfied with simply stealing my joy or giving me misery. He wants to destroy me. But I have been given a strategy to overcome him. I am to resist him and stand firm in my faith in You. I am not to evade the enemy or flee in fear from him. I am to actively, furtively, aggressively resist him. And I know that when I resist the enemy, he must flee from me.

I know that my suffering is not unique, not isolated, and I am not alone. Believers in Jesus Christ throughout the world and throughout time are and have been undergoing the same kind of sufferings as me. That gives me consolation knowing that others have been where I am. It also gives me hope because others have testimonies of victory defeating the enemy, bearing through their suffering, and most of all, encountering You, Lord Jesus, in it all.

Gracious Lord Jesus, today I choose to resist my enemy and I choose to stand firm in unwavering faith in You. I know that my suffering is not unique and I am not alone. I will rely on the testimonies of others to build my faith and trust in You. I will stay alert and have my mind prepared. And I will give You all my praise for Your victory over sin, death, and the defeated one. May You get all the glory today!

—In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen!

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