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The other day, while talking with a friend about intercession and spiritual warfare she brought up several things I haven’t though of before. One was the fact that in Ephesians 6:5-20 when talking about the armor of God we are never told to advance or retreat we are simply told to stand. After equipping ourselves with the armor of God we are not told to go running head long into the battle or to in any way advance against the enemy we are simply told to stand and after satan has thrown everything he can at us we are not only told to continue to stand but we are ABLE to stand. If you think of physical warfare it brings to mind visions of armor clad soilders rushing into a field thrashing and bashing at each other. But this passage paints a different picture of spiritual warfare. We are not to seek out the battle, or run headlong into it but stand firm when the battle comes to us, and believe me it will come.

God is so confident in His soilders and their ability to stand firm and defeat the enemy that He doesn’t even give us any armor to cover a retreat. This is because He has equipped us in such a way that if we simply stand firm we can not lose. As my friend put it “darkness can not overcome light” it may take a long time and we may get tired and worn down but as long as we hang in there and stand firm we will overcome. God will deliver us.

Another very encouraging story my friend shared with me is found in Daniel chapter 10. Here  Daniel was very upset about a vision he was given and proceeded to fast and pray seeking an answer from God regarding the vision. Daniel tells us he was in great mourning for 3 weeks seeking God but getting no response. 

^“2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. ³ I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.” Daniel 10:2-3 NKJV

 He was weak in spirit and flesh but he continued to seek God. Now if it was me and I had not gotten a response after 3 weeks of earnestly seeking and praying I would be very discouraged, in fact I have been there. But if we continue reading we discover something amazing. In vs 4-6 Daniel paints a picture for us, in the picture he describes a heavenly being that has been sent to him, now Daniel was so weak from his fasting that he fell on his face and passed out,

⁸ Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength. ⁹ Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.”   Daniel 10:8-9

 but the man of God touched him and gave him strength so they could interact (vs.10-11). Now that isn’t the amazing part, the amazing part is what this man of God had to say to Daniel. 

 “¹² Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. ¹³ But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.” Daniel 10:12-13

This gives us a small peak into spiritual warfare. It wasn’t God that delayed in His response like we thought, no God responded immediately and sent this messenger to Daniel. But the messenger was met with resistance. The prince of the kingdom of Persia mentioned here is not a human but rather a spiritual being that has been set up to guard and rule over Persia. And we can gather from the fact that he resisted God’s messenger that he is not one of the good guys. So for 21 days this messenger fought with this evil spirit trying to get his message to Daniel, it wasn’t until another angel, Micheal, came to his aid that the messenger was able to complete his mission and give Daniel God’s revelation. But clearly the battle is not won since he goes on in vs.20 to say that he must go back to fight with the prince of the kingdom of Persia again and when he is finally defeated  the prince of Greece will come. This is just one of many great passages that shows us God’s faithfulness and that we need to just stay strong and keep at it.

All to often when things don’t go our way or don’t happen just when we think they should the natural response of our human nature is to blame God. We say things like “He’s not listening to me” or, “He doesn’t care about me” when the truth of the matter is there are things going on in this world that we can not see.

^“12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Eph 6:12 NKJV

Every day battles are being fought on our behalf, not just the physical battles that men and women are fighting over seas but the spiritual battles that God’s armies are fighting against satan’s. Battles for our freedom from sin and death, battles for our souls. And we need to do our part in these battles, we may not have physical roles yet but we need to offer our strength to the armies that fight for us by keeping our faith strong and unwavering and by equipping ourselves with the armor of God. So the next time we don’t think God is answering our prayers or is taking to long or perhaps has abandoned us all together, maybe we should take a moment to think on these verses;

^“28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV

^“11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jer 29:11

Why would God have told us these things if he ment to not listen to us or to abandon us? God loves us and wants to help us, all we have to do is do our part, we have to turn to Him for help even when things seem hopeless. Another very encouraging verse during these times is;

^“13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Cor 10:13 NKJV

 Do not fall for Satan’s lie that God is not there for us or doesn’t care for us, that He is too busy to help us. Our God is all-powerful, all-knowing and ever-present! He knows what we are going through before we even go through it and is right there with a outstreached hand to help us through, all we need to do is grab His hand and let Him lead us no matter how impossible the situation seems. Remember GOD works all things for good, if you don’t trust and follow God all things will NOT be good. . .

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