October 7, 2020 – Click here to listen
I boxed during my youth and I remember I was getting badly whipped in a boxing match. After the first round my coach told me to “roll with the punch.” I looked at him like he was crazy and was wondering if my head might go rolling across the ring the way the guy was pummeling me. Nonetheless I looked across the ring and decided I was going to aim for his jaw and focus there. We went to the center of the ring and I had an opening and suddenly I hit him with all my might, and he fell to the floor like a goose in a hailstorm and landed with a big thud. I knocked him out with one blow much to the amazement of onlookers and ME . . .
I was reciting the Lord’s prayer this morning and I came to the part about, “deliver us from the evil one.” Jesus was instructing us to pray this prayer and most can say it by heart, but what exactly is meant by that terminology?
Dr. David Jeremiah wrote that it is:
- Deliverance from persecution
- Deliverance from peril
- Deliverance from personal adversaries
- Deliverance from the power of fear
- Deliverance from the power of evil
With the increasing popularity of socialism this prayer is all the more important. I feel like I’m in the ring again getting the heck beat out of me. The schools, media, Hollywood, sports teams, CEOS of mega companies, music industry all seem to be on the socialist bandwagon. The Bible and Christians are being bashed and it seems the forces of evil are picking up some momentum.
It may be surprising, but Christian persecution around the world is one of the biggest human rights issues of this era. Over 260 million Christians experience high levels of persecution. Most folks think it is just happening abroad, but it is happening right here in the United States. Churches are forced to close but casinos are allowed to remain open. Just this morning I read where Supreme Court judge candidate, Amy Coney Barrett is being persecuted for being a charismatic catholic whose beliefs include talking in tongues as a gift of the Spirit. It doesn’t seem to matter that it is biblical. 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 mentions the seven gifts of the holy Spirit as, wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, speaking in tongues, and interpretation of tongues.
It is sad to me to grow older and see the kind of world we are leaving to our grandchildren. It reminds me of facing humiliation as I got soundly whipped in the ring.
I was wishing I could do more this morning and it came to me, I can do more. Just like when I was boxing my way to defeat, I can forget about my woes and focus entirely on that knockout punch to the jaw. I cannot deliver it, but Jesus can and will. The key is in prayer. Yes Lord I pray for deliverance of all the things for which You have instructed us to pray. I do not live in fear of peril, adversaries, fear itself, or even the evil one
It is heart-breaking to see the world crumbling with antigod sentiment, and yet, the whole story reminds us that God always leaves us with a joyful triumph. James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” That joy is what we see when we hear of Christians both here and all over the world who suffer because they serve Jesus. Their triumph awaits them, either here or in heaven. God cares for His people, and He will never leave or forsake them.
Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.