FRIDAY, JULY 9
But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people [false teachers], because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.
1 John 4:4 (NLT2)
WINNING MY BATTLES: YOU’VE ALREADY WON!
George Washington was commanding an army that was disintegrating before his eyes. It looked as if all hope for victory was gone. He had made a military blunder that had lost New York to the British Army. The Congress had fled from Philadelphia because the city was seen as a lost cause. The Continental Army was low on gunpowder, guns, food, and other supplies. The civilians that had celebrated so heartily on July 4, 5, and 6th, were now wondering if it would be wisest just to give up at this point. Most of the soldiers would finish their enlistments on December 31, and others didn’t wait that long and simply deserted. George Washington’s Army was about to be destroyed by British troops and German Mercenaries (Hessians). The future of America was hanging on by a thread.
Which makes the events of Christmas Day 1776 all the more amazing. Washington led his troops across the Delaware River against incredible odds. But Washington led his troops against all odds on a nine mile march and defeated the better trained and equipped Hessians and turned the war around. An almost impossible mission completed, and a seemingly undefeatable enemy, defeated.
Reflection
The Apostle John reminds us that we have already won the spiritual battle against the enemy in 1 John 4:4. Even though the battle looks bleak at times, Jesus won the ultimate victory on the Cross. The reason we are participants in the victory is because the victorious Spirit of God comes to live inside of us the moment we place our faith in Christ. And the Spirit of God is greater than any spirit of this world.
Praise
Thank God for placing His Spirit inside of you. Praise God for being victorious.
