O8/06/24
JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
TODAY’S WORD
Today’s Scripture
[What would have become of me had I not] believed that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living!
Psalm 27:13, AMPC
THE GOODNESS OF GOD
When David was a teenager, he was stuck out in the shepherds’ fields, taking care of his father’s sheep. He had a big dream for his life, but nobody paid attention to him. David could have been discouraged, but today’s Scripture says he believed he would see God’s goodness when all the circumstances were against him. He was confident that he would leave his mark despite how long it had been, despite who didn’t believe in him.
The Scripture says there’s a set time for God to favor you. There are marked moments when God has planned to suddenly promote you, suddenly turn it around, suddenly open the door. For David, that happened when the prophet Samuel showed up at his home and anointed him to be the next king. David was saying, “If I hadn’t believed in God’s favor, I wouldn’t have been anointed by Samuel, wouldn’t have defeated Goliath, outlasted King Saul, and taken the throne.” You can rest knowing that God has already lined up the breaks, the protection, and the promotion to take you into your destiny.
A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that You have set times when You show me Your favor in special ways. Thank You for the absolute confidence I can have that if I keep moving forward in faith, I will see Your goodness. I believe that You will amaze me with what You have planned. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
SECTION TWO
The Bible says in Ephesians 6:10–15 that God has provided us with the spiritual armor of truth, righteousness, and the gospel of peace. Today, let’s look at the rest of the armor of God found in Ephesians 6.
Each piece of God’s armor is actually a weapon of right believing by which we experience His victory over the devil’s mind games. Let’s look first at the piece of armor the Bible calls the shield of faith with which to defend yourself and stand strong when the enemy comes against you with thoughts of fear, doubt, and confusion.
In apostle Paul’s time, a shield referred to the huge shield that was used by the Romans, which was as big as a door! See your faith as a mighty shield and picture this—as long as your shield of faith is up, you are untouchable.
No matter how many fiery darts the devil may pitch at you, ALL of them shall be quenched. Too many Christians are taking up the shield of doubt and quenching the blessings of God instead. Don’t let that be you—face your future with boldness with the mighty shield of faith.
Another area the devil likes to attack in your mind is the area of your salvation. When you come under attack, apart from the shield of faith, be sure to have on the helmet of salvation.
The word “salvation” comes from a beautiful Greek word soteria, which definitely includes eternal life, but is an all-encompassing word that means deliverance (from your enemies, diseases, depression, fears, and all evils), preservation, safety, and salvation. So put on the helmet of salvation by meditating on Jesus, and be filled with God’s wholeness, protection, healing, and soundness. Let His soteria insulate your mind against the enemy’s lies.
Lastly, you have also been equipped with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Wield the sword of the Spirit by praying in the Spirit and speaking out God’s “now word” into your situation. Declare His promises and the truth of His grace over yourself and your circumstances to guard your heart against thoughts of hopelessness, despair and fear.
My friend, the whole armor of God has everything to do with what you believe in Christ. When you believe rightly about His grace and His finished work, every evil strategy the enemy has against you will surely fail.
So be strong in the Lord’s love for you. Believe that God is for you and not against you. His truth, His righteousness, His faith, His gospel, His salvation, His Word, and His Spirit are all weapons of right believing to overcome all the devil’s attacks.
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