Revelation 12:12
Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

Are you desperate?

Have you ever watched a sword fight or fencing duel? It’s like a dance with calculated and precise moves. For each step the challenger takes, there is a comparable step the defender has to take in order to stay safe. It is life or death, and both participants are aware. Any situation that may cost you your life makes you desperate. You are in desperate times as you battle with the enemy. Desperate times call for desperate measures. The devil is desperate as well.

Revelation 12:12b “Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you in great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time [remaining]! (Amplified Bible AMP)

Not only does he have a short amount of time, he knows he will not win.

Revelation 20:10And the devil who had deceived them was hurled into the lake of fire and burning brimstone (sulfur), where the beast (Antichrist) and false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night, forever and ever. (Amplified Bible AMP)

His strategy is to take as many with him as he can. He is unrelenting in his pursuit of you. Image yourself in a sword fight with him. He will attack, lunge, plot, plan, strategize, beat and graze. He wants to create what he hopes to be your demise. He has watched you and recorded your responses to difficult situations. He knows where your buttons are and strategically pushes them.

1 Peter 5:8b That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. (Amplified Bible AMP)

You have to be on a reconnaissance mission continually. You have to know the enemy’s position before he is upon you.

1 Peter 5:8a Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. (Amplified Bible AMP)

Be as desperate as he is.

Luke 21:36 “But keep alert at all times [be attentive and ready], praying that you may have the strength and ability [to be found worthy and] to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man [at His coming].” (Amplified Bible AMP)

Be on guard.

1 Thessalonians 5:6 So then let us not sleep [in spiritual indifference] as the rest [of the world does], but let us keep wide awake [alert and cautious] and let us be sober [self-controlled, calm, and wise]. (Amplified Bible AMP)

Know your weak spots.

2 Corinthians 11:3-4 But now I’m afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s clever lies, your thoughts may be corrupted and you may lose your single-hearted devotion and pure love for Christ. 4 For you seem to gladly tolerate anyone who comes to you preaching a pseudo-Jesus, not the Jesus we have preached. You have accepted a spirit and gospel that is false, rather than the Spirit and gospel you once embraced. How tolerant you have become of these imposters! (The Passion Translation TPT)

Don’t move your buttons, turn them off. Ask God to help you stand as He deals with your weak spots. See yourself in a duel for your life. When he thrusts, you parry and riposte.

Please agree with me as I pray:

Father, I want to be passionate in my pursuit of You at all times. I repent for only being desperate when I am in the midst of what I perceive to be an overwhelming situation, when it should be my posture every day. I want my desperation to cause me to see the enemy coming. You have taught me, in order to increase my hunger for You, I must discipline myself to fast and pray at all times. I see what my obedience to Your instruction has done in my life so far. I will continue to do what is necessary. I want to see what the devil’s next trap is and where it’s located. I don’t want to step into it. I want to fend off the attacks of the enemy without missing a beat. I want to put the enemy on guard for me. Though these are not simple tasks, I know You can transform me. I believe You want transformation for me, and every believer. Thank You for shaping us into the image you had for us all before the foundation of the world…

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Ask the Lord what He wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal His response as described here.