Surrounded

Warriors Arise: August 28, 2023

Matthew 4:10-11 (NKJV) Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”

11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

We are not alone. We have the Holy Spirit, we have Jesus sitting at the right hadn't of the Father interceding for us, and we have the saints who have gone before us. They have been where we are. As humans, they have faced the same temptations we have had to face and that we will face.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV) Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

You and I are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses. Before Jesus came to earth to be our Savior, He had seen so many of His Father's beloved people be tempted by the devil. I wonder when the devil was tempting Him, if He taught of all those who had gone before Him? I wonder if He remembered Daniel, in the lion's den or Shadrach, Meshack and Abed-Nego in the fiery furnace? Wonder if He remembered Joseph denying Potiphar's wife saying, "How could I sin against your husband and my God?" I wonder if He remembered the faith of Ruth, Mordecai and Esther? What about the faith of Simeon and Anna who waited at the temple day after day for the arrival of the Messiah? Did Jesus draw courage from the cloud of witnesses that would watch now that it was His turn to resist the temptation of the devil?

Many people resist sharing their testimony of the temptations they have faced and overcome, the tribulations they have been through and have come through, the prison they have been in that they have received freedom from Jesus Christ, the pit they stepped into and have rise up out of, the mountain they have conquered, and the trauma they have been restored from. Why would we not testify? How are others supposed to know the goodness and greatness of our God if we do not tell them? How are others supposed to draw strength from our testimony is we do not tell it? Sure, there may be some who are bragging, but for the receiver, they can see beyond the bragging and see God is the one who healed, delivered, restored their mind, redeemed them from decisions that cost precious time, ransomed they from a debt they owed, and set their feet on solid ground.

I feel it is wrong to withhold testimony of what God has done in our lives. He is to receive honor, praise and the glory for what He does in our lives. There are people who would never read the bible except for the fact that someone shared their testimony of what God did in their life first. Each time He intervenes, we should be ready to give testimony to praise His name. He is worthy. He is the hope upon which I take my stand. I know He will make a way for you and me to rise up, shake off the dust, and walk on toward His plan for our lives. When we do, we are to testify of His goodness and greatness. Daily, He is actively involved in our lives. What has the Lord done for you this week? What do you need to give testimony of His greatness?

There is a great cloud of witnesses of those who have gone before us. What do you know of them that will give you strength when the devil comes to tempt you? You can because they did. Therefore, you know it can be done. It becomes a matter of deciding if you will listen to the testimonies of others and share your own. You never know who your testimony will encourage today.

Father, I am so grateful for all who have done before me. Thank you for Your Word, the Bible. I am immeasurably impacted by the decisions of the faithful in the Bible who took a stand to honor You. What they have done and the sacrifices they made in order to represent You with honor has been a guide for my decisions. I desire to encourage others with my testimony. I am not perfect. I have made more mistakes than can be counted, but You have forgiven me. I have sinned again and again, and yet, You have forgiven me again and again. I am will remember what others have done to honor You. I will testify of what You have done in my life. I will give You glory for all You have one in my life in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy Hand

Join together as Believers in Jesus Christ to pray and to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.