NIV Devotions for Women - Week of June 17
Our Secret Weapon
Verse: 1 Chronicles 5:18-22
Imagine ranks of warriors stretching as far as the eye can see. Their weapons glinting in the morning sunlight, spread over the villages and pastures of the land God had given them. Nearly 45,000 strapping young men—weapon-savvy, war-hungry and expertly trained—fingering their bows and sword hilts impatiently. They had trained for this battle.
In the silence you could have heard a horse snort, a fish jump in the Jordan, a scabbard ring hollow against a shield. But as the battle got underway and the screams tore at their eardrums, you could hear something else: the cries of the warriors calling out to God for help. He was the secret weapon in the battle. And they trusted him for the victory.
Let’s face it; life is more a battlefield than a playground. Every day we face enemies we can’t even see. We are at war “against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). We fight battles within ourselves—against insecurity, anxiety, depression. We fight for spiritual territory rather than for plots of land. We fight against the fallen things in this world: materialism, greed, selfishness, addiction, violence, apathy, prejudice, injustice . . . and the list goes on. Daunting enemies, indeed.
As soldiers in God’s army we are called to do battle with evil by putting on the armor of God (see Ephesians 6:10–18). Every morning, picture yourself donning each piece like a modern-day Joan of Arc: the belt of God’s truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace. Take up your shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit. And then, like the Israelites, employ your “secret weapon”: prayer. Ask God for help, “pray[ing] in the Spirit . . . with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Ephesians 6:18). One commentator said, “Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees.” Don’t hesitate to utilize your secret weapon by praying to the Lord of hosts, and trust him to hear your prayers. He’s the one who will lead you to win your battle because he has already won the war.
They were helped in fighting them, and God delivered the Hagrites and all their allies into their hands, because they cried out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him.
Reflection
1. Are most of your battles fought against “inward” or “outward” foes?
2. What weapons are you finding most effective against your foe?
3. How often do you utilize your “secret weapon” (prayer)?
Related Readings
Psalms 24 ; Philippians 4:6 ; James 4:1-8 ; 1 Peter 3:10-16
This devotion is from the NIV New Women's Devotional Bible or True Identity by Zondervan. Used with permission.
