Every boxer in the ring learns the victory does not necessarily go to the most skilled fighter.
The victory goes to the one who is most persistent in guarding himself, tiring his opponent by making him use energy on worthless punches, and waiting for the opportune moment to strike.
We have an adversary called satan, who employs the same principles. He tries to protect himself and he tries to tire us out. His goal is to constantly distract us so we become less focused and less able to resist him. Satan waits for the opportune moment to strike.
Satan knows if we ever live The Truth revealed by James, he is finished. What is that Truth?
“Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
James 4:7
I may start a challenge strong. But as I appear to lose more and more rounds, I start to lose confidence in myself. This can be a good thing. Losing confidence in ourselves causes us to look to God for strength.
However, unfortunately we often look to God only for what we hope He can give us. When we say, “Help me!” our prayer is still focused on ourselves.
After experiencing a series of challenges, I was at the end of my spiritual rope. In the midst of my begging God for help, He spoke.
He did not give me an answer. He asked me a question.
“Is My Presence enough for you?”
While we are fighting our battles and yelling to God for “backup,” satan laughs. We are exhausting ourselves fending off his “sucker punches.”
Satan hopes we never read all of James 4:7.
“Submit yourselves, then to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
Resisting the devil by ourselves is futile. However, when we submit ourselves to God, seeking His Presence alone, God enters the ring in His Full Power. Satan feels The Presence of God too. He flees!
Are you seeking God’s Presence or what He can give you? Are you trying to fight a battle only The Lord can win? Seek His Presence. It is more than enough!
‘My Presence will go with you and I will give you rest.”
Exodus 33:14
