"Because He Said So! Discovering who the I AM says I am"

The I AM says I am a warrior!

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)

Oh, how I loved going to Bible School when I was growing up. I loved the stories and the arts and crafts. And boy did I love the songs. There were so many great ones that I still find myself humming now and again…… Jesus Loves Me, Deep and Wide, I’ve Been Redeemed, Jesus Loves the Little Children, He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands, and Down in my Heart, just to name a few. But there was one song, Onward Christian Soldiers, that I never liked singing. I’m not sure if it was the slow tempo with the strong beat of the song or the words about going to battle; but I never really enjoyed that song.

My husband is a history buff; he is especially interested in the battles and wars of our country’s past. And although I appreciate all those who have served in the armed forces and fought for my freedom, I have never enjoyed studying history, watching war documentaries, or spending vacation time going to war museums looking at artifacts from battles. And so, to claim the role of warrior for God, is really outside my comfort zone. I like peace, not war! But the truth is that we are in a battle with the enemy and we are called to fight! “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings” (1 Peter 5:8-9). We need to realize that as women of Christ, all over the world, we are in constant combat with the evil one. He came to kill, steal, and destroy us by obliterating our confidence, shattering our hope, and exterminating our faith. His ultimate goal is to overthrow our relationship with God.

We have a destiny, a calling in Christ, and the enemy will do anything in his power to stop us. So, we must be prepared to fight in the daily battle against the plans of evil. The only way to win the war with the enemy is to put on the full armor of God, every day! “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:10-17)

Ladies, we have been given a divine order, so let’s not leave our homes without suiting up in the full armor of God. We don’t want to enter the battlefield unprepared! Let’s plan a coup d'état against the devil! The good news is that we can fight confidently because the battle has been won; Jesus has overcome! We have been called to share the good news of our Savior, not only by our words, but by our actions. So, today, let’s sound the battle cry and tell the enemy, "Not today, devil, not today!" Let's claim confidently, “I am a warrior…because He said so!”

Additional Reading: Judges 6:11-16; Psalm 18:37-39; Isaiah 42:13; 1 Timothy 6:11-12; 1 Peter 5:7-9; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 10:3-4

Dear Lord,

I praise You today for all that You are; You are the Creator of the Universe, the King of kings and Lord of lords. You are the I AM! I know that You created me on purpose for a purpose. I am who You say I am. The enemy wants to hold me back from living out the calling You have placed on my life. Lord, saturate my mind with the truth of Your Word so that I may remember that my identity is found in You and only You. Remind me throughout the day, when the world comes tumbling in, that You are in control. Reveal Your will in my life as I only want to please You. No matter how difficult my day becomes I will remember that I can do all things through You (Phil 4:13). In Jesus' name. Amen