Daily Devotionals for Women - Today's Encouraging Word from Scripture

EXPECT SPIRITUAL SPARKS!

At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, “God is with you in all that you do. Now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my descendants or with my posterity, but as I have dealt kindly with you, so you will deal with me and with the land where you have sojourned.” Genesis 21:22-23

Why would a king with an army be intimidated by a traveling herdsman and his family? Because he saw evidence of the presence of God. God calls the poor and inadequate, shows them His favor, surrounds them with His presence and power, and even kings will tremble.

God’s people have always been outnumbered. Kingdom mathematics never make sense on paper. Gideon drove off 135,000 with only 300 soldiers. Samson killed 1000 men with a donkey’s jawbone. God predicted these incredible odds. He said, “Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand – your enemies will fall before your sword.” If I put the two fractions side by side – then one hundred should only defeat two thousand. But God promises ten thousand. I ask my king, “Such blessing is really mine?” Yes. I can rely, as God’s child, on kingdom mathematics. The effect of the presence of God on my life is intimidating to my spiritual enemies.

Paul wanted each of us to know that when we put on the spiritual armor our Father has provided to us for our protection, we are really putting on the Lord Jesus Christ. The effect of ‘wearing’ Christ like a cloak around our shoulders has cataclysmic kingdom effects. There will be sparks and I should not be surprised by them. The greater the oppression in the person I’m facing, the greater the friction. I will see this person act out aggressively out of fear.

Clothed in spiritual power, I am to be bold when Jesus would be bold and humble when He would be humble. I must wear my power lightly and never as a ‘Barnie Fife’ kind of authority. Prayerful, faith-filled leadership is my template.

Clothed in Your power, I ask that You make me gentle as a dove but also wise as a serpent. Jesus, You are my example. Amen

Journal Question: From whom have you run, and then said, “That person doesn’t like me, Jesus. Poor me.” Could it be that they were reacting to Jesus, the Living Cloak around your shoulders, and not really to you? How would Jesus respond to them instead of retreating?

For more from Christine Wyrtzen and Jaime Wyrtzen Lauze, please visit www.daughtersofpromise.org