Today you may be fighting something threatening and you need to be encouraged. If this is the case you need to know the battle is the Lord’s. Remember your enemy is not flesh and blood.  Ephesians 6:12 “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.” Just like in Ezra and Nehemiah, the enemy does not like the rebuilding process and will fight against it. Ezra 4 says, “the people around them set out to discourage them and make them afraid.” Nehemiah 4:8 “They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it.” Acts 4:25 “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.” So this is what we do Acts 4: 29 “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

 We need the power of God to fall on us just as the power of the Holy Spirit fell in Acts. Acts 4:31 “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” This next verse is for you today if you are battling dark forces. By the way you need your armour on and your sword in hand as Ephesians tells us. When we fight be encouraged because as David said the battle is the Lord’s.

1 Samuel 17:45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Joshua 1)