When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe. – Luke 11:21
Today’s parable declares good news for the believer. Jesus is stronger than the devil. Everywhere Jesus went, He proved this by casting out demons, healing the sick, and raising the dead. Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).
Jesus is stronger than the enemy. James wrote, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (James 4:7-8). Jesus said, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). In other words, yield to and revere God as the holy judge. Do not bother being afraid of the devil or humans.
When Peter confessed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” Jesus told him, “You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:16-18). You can destroy those “gates of hell” through prayer, the Word of God, and living and speaking according to God’s will. John writes, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4b).
As you bring to the Lord the things that trouble you, allow His Spirit to reassure you by the truths of His Word. Sometimes you may have read a particular passage hundreds of times but, when the Holy Spirit speaks, it comes alive to you in a new way. Pray for the citizens and officials of the United States to increasingly draw near to God in Christ.
Today’s Verse: Luke 11:21
When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe;
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Romans 8:31-39
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
