The Making of Spiritual Warrior - Week 4 - Monday Morning Devotions
Good morning and welcome to Daily Chapel - today's focus is on 'The Making of a Spiritual Warrior.' The training to make someone into a Spiritual Warrior is ongoing, a daily battle even and especially for the Christian. Once you have been blessed to be baptized and pledged your faith in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, the Evil One has been on the warpath attempted to discourage and rob you of God's promises. What is a spiritual warrior to do? Pray - meditate on God's Sacred Word and allow the trials and temptations of life in this world to strengthen your faith in Jesus.
Please allow God's Spirit to speak to you as you listen to Psalm 119, beginning with verse 105.
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws.
107 I have suffered much; preserve my life, O Lord, according to your word.
108 Accept, O Lord, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws.
109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law.
110 The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts.
111 Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.
112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.
As we meditate on these words we reflect on the suffering that comes from our everyday trials. Some from the devil, some through our peers, but some of the most difficult ones from within. Listen to Paul, who as a believer struggled with his inner demons:
So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God —through Jesus Christ our Lord! [Romans 5:21-25a NIV84]
Please pray with me: Blessed Lord, You have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning. Grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, and take them to heart that, by the patience and comfort of Your holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.