Taking the Battle to the Enemy… Hello weekend readers. Al and I are enjoying the Olympics, although sometimes we are holding our breath as they fly down mountains, do flips off of edges, and so much more. What wonderful young people they are and their determination to not so much get the gold but to actually finish without getting hurt! Also, how they share with others and work together cheering each other on. They are what our world needs today indeed! And this devotion is about our battles…

During the Korean War my Uncle Bill was in the unit known as Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines-B Company-1st Battalion-7th Marines. They played a critical role in the Korean War, participating in the Inchon landing, the breakout from the Chosin Reservoir, and the battle at Naktong. They had gotten separated from its regiment, and enemy forces were advancing on them. For several hours no word came from Baker Company. Finally, a radio contact was made! When asked for a report of its situation, Baker Company replied, “The enemy is to the east of us. The enemy is to the west of us. The enemy is to the south of us. The enemy is to the north of us.” Then, after a brief pause, the voice continued, “And this time, we’re not going to let them escape.” And that is exactly what they did and they won.

Sometimes it seems that way in the life of a believer. The enemy is at every turn. Sadly, some believers don’t realize that the Christian life is not a playground—it’s a battleground.  They are oblivious to the fact that a war is raging—and that, in this war, they are either winning or losing. My Uncle Bill would tell you that, in a battle, it’s always better to be an aggressor instead of a defender because a defender is simply waiting for the enemy’s next attack, hoping he will survive.

If we, as believers, are always defending, then the devil is in a superior position. If, on the other hand, we are the ones who are attacking, then we are in the superior position. When the apostle Paul wrote about the armor of God in Ephesians 6, he mentioned one offensive weapon: “The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Make no mistake about it, there is authority and power in the Word of God. In Matthew’s Gospel 4:1–11, we read the story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. Three times the devil tried to get Jesus to do wrong. All three times Jesus countered his attack by quoting the Word of God. The result? “The devil went away.” In 1 Corinthians 10:13 [NTFE] we find in our battles that God is faithful: “Every test that comes upon you is normal for human beings. But God is faithful: he won’t let you be tested beyond your ability. Along with the testing, he will provide the way of escape, so that you can bear it.”

God’s Word keeps Satan from getting an advantageous battle position in our lives as well. The temptations in our lives are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. Remember that God stands ready to strengthen you and help you escape. And you’ll have the high ground in your battle with the devil. He will have no solid footing for his attack.

Back to our Olympians–from the White House to angry folks we hear awful words and they lash out saying: “Their no good at all, where are the medals?” Well guess what, it’s not just a medal; it is the joy of doing something for your country; it is the power of all countries coming together and taking care of one another. The praise is not some medal on your neck—it is your determination, your ability to go through the battle knowing you have done your best and that’s what we all need—to try our best. Whether we are in a bunker, going through hardships or flying down a ski hill, the devil has nothing in his arsenal that can counter the Bible. God’s Word breaks through. God’s Word impacts. When the enemy has you surrounded, keep him on the defensive with the Word of God, there is nothing better! AMEN.