Topic: Asking For Protection
Text: Matthew 6:13
Key Verse: Do not bring us to hard testing, but keep us safe from the Evil One.‘ – Matthew 6:13
GNT
In a typical home, the Father symbolizes protection for everyone in the family. From crawling insects, dogs, and mum’s rod of correction, Fathers are the go-to place for safety.
From the garden of Eden, where God promised that the woman’s seed would bruise the head of the serpent, the devil, the evil one, that serpent in the garden has not stopped seeking how to bruise the heel of the seed of that woman.
I will make you and the woman hate each other; her offspring and yours will always be enemies. Her offspring will crush your head, and you will bite her offspring’s heel.” – Genesis 3:15 GNT.
In most cultures, people believe that when they are hurt or experience bad things, it is the handwork of an enemy. They often think that the enemy must be a human being close to them who does not like them or someone they have offended. Unfortunately, this is a lie! What is the source of our evil attacks?
Jesus taught of the existence of an evil one, and in several scriptures, we see the manifestation of the identity of this enemy.
The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come so that you might have life—life in all its fullness. – John 10:10 GNT
Some teachers of the Law who had come from Jerusalem were saying, “He has Beelzebul in him! It is the chief of the demons who gives him the power to drive them out.” So Jesus called them to him and spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? – Mark 3:22-23 GNT
Nowhere is this descendant of Abraham whom Satan has kept in bonds for eighteen years; should she not be released on the Sabbath?” – Luke 13:16 GNT.
Peter said to him, “Ananias, why did you let Satan take control of you and make you lie to the Holy Spirit by keeping part of the money you received for the property? – Acts 5:3 GNT
Therefore we would have come unto you — even I, Paul, time and again — but Satan hindered us. – 1 Thessalonians 2:18 KJ21
The scriptures teach that our enemy is the devil, Satan; he goes around to hinder and keep people in bondage; his chief mission is to steal, kill and destroy, but being the chief of all the demons ( fallen angels) he can use them to manipulate people to execute their plan. Peter’s question points to the way the enemy operates.
Peter said to him, “Ananias, why did you let Satan take control of you and make you lie to the Holy Spirit by keeping part of the money you received for the property?
Satan can take control of humans and make them do evil; the real enemy is the author of the evil. When you see humans as the enemy, you open yourself to hatred, evil speaking, and other evils done in self-defense.
Paul also teaches in Ephesians the true identity of our enemy. Knowing the nature and tactics of the enemy gives you an edge over him and helps you know the type of weapons and strategies that will ensure your victory.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. – Ephesians 6:12 KJ21
One way to know a person\’s identity is through his names; the devil is a master at deceit and disguise, don\’t be fooled. The devil has been here longer than any human; we must not think we can outwit him or overcome him by our aggressiveness or physical strength. We must learn to run to Father in prayer to ask for protection; then, God can guide us on engaging in warfare against him and the spirits he operates with.
Build your confidence first in the faithfulness of our heavenly Father to protect you from harm, then seek his help and direction to know when to flee, confront, contend or resist. We are not called to a life of perpetual warfare; entering the rest of God is the will of God. David was a man of war, but he entered a season of rest from his enemies because God gave him rest. Have you been in a season of prolonged warfare and contention, then it is time to seek rest from the Father.
“Thou knowest how David my father could not build a house unto the name of the Lord his God because of the wars which were about him on every side until the Lord put them under the soles of his feet. – 1 Kings 5:3
KJ21
When God gives a man rest, he will be free to serve the Lord unhindered.
“Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. – Matthew 11:28-29 KJ21
Your rest is the will of God. You must learn how to find that rest and contend against everything and everyone who will not allow you to enjoy the will of God for your life. Apostle Paul understood spiritual warfare best, yet he asked for prayer for protection. God can deliver from the evil one and his tactics if we pray.
Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me, that I may be delivered from those who do not believe in Judea, and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted by the saints, – Romans 15:30-31
We felt that the death sentence had been passed on us. But this happened so that we should rely, not on ourselves, but only on God, who raises the dead. From such terrible dangers of death, he saved us, and will save us; and we have placed our hope in him that he will save us again, as you help us using your prayers for us. So it will be that the many prayers for us will be answered, and God will bless us, and many will raise their voices to him in thanksgiving for us. – 2 Corinthians 1:9-11 GNT
God is our deliverer; may we continually trust in him and pray to him and not rely on anything or anyone for our protection.
Prayer
Father, l thank you for who you are, the all-powerful one; you are able and willing to deliver and protect all who trust you; in these uncertain times, help us to trust you and put away the fear in our lives in Jesus’ name. Deliver us from all evil; our eyes are on you, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Ada
Photo by frank mckenna on Unsplash
