He is Closer

When Halloween was recently celebrated in many parts of the world on 31 October, the Lord showed me how the world loves to focus on the works of darkness. He pointed out to me how, even as Christians, we can sometimes become focussed on the work of the enemy, especially when it’s highlighted in the media, or when we’re affected by it in some way. I heard the Lord cautioning me to be especially aware of where my focus lies. As God’s children we need to be reminded of the fact that we serve a risen Saviour and He defeated the enemy. He has ‘disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in it [the cross]’ (Colossians 2:15). So, even though we shouldn’t be ignorant of the enemy’s strategies and devices, we need to be careful not to get distracted by, and swept up in them.

Our key scripture tells us that the Lord is nearer to us than our foe. This means that we can be absolutely secure in the fact that God, who is light, and in whom there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5), is much closer to us than the enemy can ever be. When we dwell - make ourselves at home – ‘in the secret place of the Most High’, we can know that we ‘shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]’ (Psalm 91:1).

We don’t need to fear the enemy when our lives are lived under the Lord’s safe covering. Even when we experience the ‘threat of the enemy’ (Psalm 64:1), we can know that God is MUCH closer than our breath. He promised to never leave us or forsake us. He is our ‘ever-present help in trouble’ (Psalm 46:1). I’m encouraged to be intentional in making the Lord my focus, especially when circumstances appear to magnify the presence and the works of the enemy. The truth is that the Lord is CLOSER that the enemy, and He that lives in me is greater than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4).

‘The Eternal is my rock, my fortress, and my salvation; He is my True God, the stronghold in which I hide, my strong shield, the horn that calls forth help, and my tall-walled tower’ (Psalm 18:2, The Voice).

Prayer: Thank You, Lord Jesus, that You’ve defeated the enemy. Thank You that You’re very near to me and much closer than my enemy could ever be. You’re my safe place and my strong tower, and I give You glory. Amen.