Devotional: Weel 5, Day 1

Luke 10: 17-20

Whenever we turn our heads, hearts, and hands inside out to care for the least and the lost, we find ourselves engaged in spiritual warfare. We will face demonic and Satanic opposition. The enemy will not easily give up the people held captive through poverty, abuse, lack of education, injustice, or family dysfunctions. The difficulty of the inevitable conflict must not discourage us, though. We go out on mission in Jesus’ name, following His call and operating in His power. In Jesus, people under demonic oppression will be set free. And, this deliverance is always a source of great joy (v. 17a).

When we are sent out by Jesus on mission, we will see Satan’s power over people broken suddenly and decisively (vv. 17b-18). Even though we will face physical and spiritual opposition, we can have the confidence in the authority and the safety that come through Jesus (v. 19a). Nothing can harm us without first going through our loving, wise, and powerful Father’s filter (v. 19b).

Victory in spiritual warfare as we are used by God on mission is truly a source of great joy. However, we should always rejoice more in what God has done for us in our salvation than through us in our ministry (v. 20). We must never forget that we were sinners who deserved the wrath of God. However, God so loved us He sent Jesus to rescue us when He died for our sins and rose for our justification. The grace of God – unmerited favor – must be the source of our greatest joy. That same grace fuels our motivation for mission. What we have received, we freely give.

• Where and how have you seen spiritual opposition take place as you have sought to be more and more missional?
• When you think about the inevitability of spiritual warfare, what are some things that give you strength, comfort, and hope?
• How can the fact that Jesus has worked for you in salvation fuel your faith that He will work through you on mission?

You, Lord Jesus, have already disarmed our spiritual enemies through Your death and resurrection. I know You are victorious, but too often, I have lived like You are losing. I have shirked my responsibility to wage spiritual war by refusing to engage in activities that will set captives free. I ask You to enable me to care for the least and the lost in ways that result in my seeing Satan fall like lightning. So, Jesus, I am Yours. Wage Your spiritual war through me.