In Matthew 12:43-45 Jesus describes an evil, unclean spirit that leaves a man and wanders for a time looking for a place to go. The evil spirit returns to the man for lodging and finds the house unoccupied, swept, and put in order. The spirit then brings in seven other spirits more evil than itself. Friend, it’s very important to understand we can follow good biblical morals, have a ‘clean house,’ so to speak, and not have Jesus in our midst personally. This leaves us in a dangerous place. Here in Psalm 18, David writes to God: You are my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my God, my strength, my shield, my salvation, and my stronghold. Do you know that He is yours and that you are His?

When we submit to God because we are His, the enemy will flee (James 4:7). It’s mission-critical for our hearts and lives to be personally connected to Jesus Christ. When we know Him in our hearts and lives, by His Grace, when the arrows of the enemy point at us, we can say, "He is MY shield that protects me." When the enemy unsettles me, "He is MY fortress with high walls, ditches, and moats where I can safely hide." When the enemy seems to outnumber and overwhelm me, "He is MY deliverer that rescues me, destroys the enemy, and makes a path and a way for me to escape."

The Lord, through His death on the cross, defeated not only death but also all principalities and powers that try to wreak havoc in this world against humanity. If you haven’t made your relationship with God personal, do it now! If you have strayed, draw close to Him, and He will draw near to you. You are loved! No matter what we face, however, when the enemy attacks our family, fellowship, or workplace, we KNOW where our victory comes from. With this knowledge, we can harbor a love, joy, and peace that passes understanding in our hearts and lives through Christ.

Life Lesson: You need to make your relationship with God personal.

Lord,
I've tried to make things right in my heart and my relationship with You and others, but I realize I can’t do that. Only You can. Please forgive me of my sin, Lord. I trust that Your death, burial, and resurrection are the only things sufficient for me to have a relationship with You. Please fill me with the power of Your Spirit that I might trust in You all the days of my life.
In Jesus' name. Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say,
Pastor David McGee

Senior Pastor
The Bridge
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