“Your weakness is one of the most powerful offerings that you can give to Me. You honor Me by understanding that you need My power to overcome your world. Your reliance upon Me for all your needs shows Me that you understand the concept of Lordship and all that it offers. It transfers your attempting to overcome vast powers with your very limited abilities to My unlimited resources. Think about this. If I asked you to attempt to engage a vast army, blindfolded, would you consider Me to be a friend? If I then gave you plastic weapons, told you very little about the weapons and the style of warfare that the enemy engages in; but sent you to the battle front, would you think that I expect you to win any battles? Of course not. It would only show My lack of love for you.
“Because I love you so much, I give you authority over all of the enemy’s power and mighty weapons to tear down strongholds, but it is still My strength in Jesus’ Name that overcomes. I plead with you: Do not engage in battle with the enemy in your own strength. I know that you cannot win. Because that is absolute truth, I promise you that I will fight your every fight. Even though the enemy’s power was no match for the power exhibited at the cross and was annihilated at the resurrection, you are still no match for anything that comes your way in your carnal power.
“Thank you for trusting Me. Thank you for believing in Me. Thank you for being wise and giving Me the privilege of intervening in your life. I hold your needs in high priority. I will never let you down. You are Mine and I love you.”
Psalm 23 1-6 NIV
1) The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2) He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
3) He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4) Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5) You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6) Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
When the Lord was teaching me a little more about the covenant that I had entered into when I gave my life to Jesus, he gave me a vision. I was standing before a vast, angry army of many soldiers. They were in an open field with implements of war such as catapults, longbows, and mighty swords. In the distance, I saw thousands and thousands of troops ready to war against my every move. They were screaming and hollering, jumping up and down. Every one of them was having quite a time of strutting their scary war stuff. Standing in that field all alone, needing to fight such a formidable foe was frightening beyond belief. I had no hope.
All of a sudden, I had the feeling that I was not really alone. Turning around, my Lord Jesus was right behind me, standing calmly with a loving smile on His face. He was magnificent. Behind Him were countless hosts of giant angels, dressed in splendorous heavenly battle gear, with indescribably mighty weapons ready for war on my behalf. They covered the landscape for as far as I could see. I remember how calmly they stood there. My horrible battle was an afternoon’s joust for only one of them. The overwhelming show of force was for my benefit. It was to show me how little I had to worry about any battle, no matter how large I thought it was.
Then something wonderful happened. Jesus asked me to take a walk with Him in the fine meadow off to the side of the battlefront. Foolishly, I commented to Him that I had a battle to fight; that I was needed.
In an instant, He showed me the folly of my concerns. First, He showed me that the battle was no longer mine now that I was His. Second, He allowed me to ponder my chances if I were to take the foe on single-handedly. Third, He explained to my heart the awesome power of His troops. Knowing my foolish heart, He also allowed me to understand how little help I would be if I decided that it was my job to lend them a hand.
My lightning-fast mind finally got it. The battle was no longer mine, so the most productive thing I could do would be to go for a walk near the stream, over in the meadow, off to the side of the battle front, while my enemies were being soundly defeated by probably only one of the mighty angels while the others were watching over us. It finally made sense.
I then woke up and once again began to worry about whatever battle was before me at that time. Now that many years of defeated foes have passed, I remember that vision and walk by the stream with my Jesus when the battle rages more often, rather than trying to go it alone.
Needing to remember who I am in Jesus more often,
Jim Corbett
