The Winning Side

Daily Reading: Revelation 12-13

Scripture Focus: And they have conquered him. (Revelation 12.11)

Devotional Thought: "I am so tired of COVID!"  That comment to my wife generated an immediate: "Me, too!"  We went on to discuss how it seems that there is so much wrong in our world today, from pandemics to protests to politicians.  And then I read Revelation 12, and was reminded that we are on the winning side!

In this chapter, we see that Satan is...

·       Defeated ... "But he was defeated" (v. 8).  Don't miss the power of those four simple words.  Your worst enemy will not be defeated.  He is defeated!

·       Deceiver ... He is "the deceiver of the whole world" (v. 9).  Jesus said that Satan is "a liar and the father of lies" (John 8.44).  We must be wary so that we do not fall prey to his lies.

·       Deposed ... He has been "thrown down" (v. 9).  Like a wrestler using his opponent's force against him, God took Satan's worst - death - and used it to bring life to the earth.

·       Desperate ... "His time is short" (v. 12).  Satan can read the writing on the wall and knows that his end is nigh.  He will do all in his power to hurt God's people.

In this chapter, we also see how we conquer our enemy.  By...

·       The power of our Lord (v. 10) ... "The authority of ... Christ has come!"

·       The blood of the Lamb (v. 11) ... there is power in the blood!

·       The testimony of our lips (v. 11) ... Access your victory by faith.  Speak the truth!

·       The sincerity of our lives (v. 11) ... The victorious saints, "loved not their lives even unto death."

Praise God!  We are on the winning side!

Prayer: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”  Amen!  (Revelation 5.12)

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 103.15-22

15 As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field;

16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.

17 But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children,

18 to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.

19 The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!

21 Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!

22 Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!