“But none of the ransomed ever knew
How deep were the waters crossed,
Nor how dark was the night that the (our) Lord passed
through . . .
Ere He found His sheep that was lost.
Far out in the desert He heard its cry–
Fainting and helpless, and ready to die . . .”
More than Conquerors through Christ Jesus !
“And they overcame him (the dragon) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the Word of their testimony . . . and they loved not their own lives even unto death !”
Revelation 12:10-11
“Like the twelve apostles, the seventy disciples whom Christ sent forth later received supernatural endowments as a seal of their mission (a mark, a sign of the power and authority with which they had been vested – Luke 9:1-6) .
When their work was completed, they returned with joy, saying, “Lord (Sovereign, King), even the devils are subject unto us through Thy name !” Jesus answered, “Why are you surprised, for I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.” Luke 10:17-18 and Revelation 12:7-10.
Henceforth Christ’s followers are to look upon Satan as a conquered foe. Upon the cross, Jesus was to gain the victory for them; and that victory He desired them (desires us) to accept as their (our) own. “Behold,” He said, “I give unto you ___________ (your name) power* to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy . . . and nothing shall by any means hurt you !”
Luke 10:19 and 9:1-6 and Mark 16:15-20
The omnipotent power of the Holy Spirit . . . the Words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are Life ! . . . (John 6:63 & 14:10-11) is the defense of every contrite soul. No one who in penitence and faith has claimed His protection will Christ permit to pass under the enemy’s power.
“The LORD is nigh* (near, allied, of kin, kinsman, ready, at hand) unto them that are of a broken heart, and He saveth* (to open wide, set free, to defend, succor, to deliver, rescue, to give victory) such as be of a contrite spirit (mind) . . . !”
Psalm 34:18
“Plead my cause, O LORD (Jehovah, Yehuwah), with them that strive with me . . . fight against them that fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler (sword), and stand up for mine help. Draw out also Thy spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me; Say unto my soul . . . I Am thy Salvation !”
Psalm 35:1-3
“O Lord (Adoni – Sovereign, King), open Thou my lips, and my mouth shall shew forth Thy praise . . . For Thou desirest not sacrifice else would I give it: Thou delightest not in burnt offering (Hebrews 10:4-7). For the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: yea, a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise . . .
Do good in Thy good pleasure unto Zion, yea, build Thou the walls of Jerusalem (Daniel 9:19 and Revelation 21:12-17). For then shalt Thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, yea, with burnt offering and whole burnt offerings. Then shall they offer bullocks (selfishness, pride – bull-headed) upon Thine altar . . .”
Psalm 51:15-19
“For thus saith the High and Lofty One that inhabiteth eternity . . . Whose name is holy; I dwell in the high (elevated, most) and holy (sacred, an Angel, a saint, sanctuary) place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit (mind) . . . To revive the spirit of the humble* (Matthew 11:28-30 and John 8:28), and to revive (to quicken, to recover, to restore Life in) the heart of the contrite ones !” Isaiah 57:15
It is true that Satan is a powerful being; but, thank God, we have a Mighty Saviour, Who cast out the evil one from heaven. Satan is pleased when we magnify his power. Why not talk of Jesus? Why not magnify His power and His love?
The rainbow of promise encircling the throne on high is an everlasting testimony that “God so loved this world, that He gave up His Only-Begotten Son . . . that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting Life !” John 3:16. It testifies to the universe that God will never forsake His children in the struggle with evil. It is an assurance to us of strength and protection as long as the throne itself shall endure. –
“And they overcame him (the dragon) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the Word of their testimony . . . and they loved not their own lives even unto death !”
Revelation 12:10-11
“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession* (to profess, to speak aloud) is made unto Salvation* (deliverance, rescue, freedom, healing and restoration) …For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him (The Word of God) shall not be put to shame . . . !”
Romans 10:10-11
The Joy of Our Lord – the Ninty and Nine
There were ninety and nine that safely lay
In the shelter of the fold,
But one was out on the hills away,
Far, far from the gates of gold–
Away on the mountains wild and bare,
Away from the tender Shepherd’s care.
“Lord, Thou hast here Thy ninety and nine;
Are they not enough for Thee ?”
But the Shepherd made answer . . . “One of Mine
Has wandered away from Me,
And although the road be rough and steep,
I go to the desert to find My sheep.”
But none of the ransomed ever knew
How deep were the waters crossed,
Nor how dark was the night that the Lord passed
through . . .
Ere He found His sheep that was lost.
Far out in the desert He heard its cry–
Fainting and helpless, and ready to die.
Lord, whence are these blood drops all the way
That mark out the mountain’s track ?”
“They were shed for one who had gone astray,
Ere the Shepherd could bring him back.”
“Lord, why are Thy hands so rent and torn ?”
“They were pierced tonight by many a thorn.”
But all through the mountains, thunder-riven,
And up from the rocky steep,
There rose a cry to the gate of heaven,
“Rejoice, I have found My sheep!”
And the angels sang around the throne,
“Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own!”
— Hymn by Elizabeth C. Clephane, 1830 – 1869
article adapted from Ministry of Healing, p.93-94