What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31
A crowd of boys milled about the two oldest boys in the school, who were to be the captains of the teams to play in the baseball game that was about to begin. After deciding which captain was to choose first, the captains would select, turn about, the boys to be on their team. For these two captains, it was critical to be able to select first. This was because among the crowd of boys, there was one who was the best baseball player. This particular boy, named Charlie, could hit, run, and field the ball so much better than any of the others that it was almost a foregone conclusion that the team Charlie was on would win the game. For these captains, it didn’t matter what other boys were on their team or on the other team. If they had Charlie, they were going to win. Paul tells the Romans that it doesn’t matter who is opposing them, they had God on their side, so victory was sure.
Do we have opponents in our Christian experience? Of course we do. The big three are the world, the flesh, and the devil. These war against our soul and would do all they can to bring us to defeat and humiliation. But none of these can stand before the power of the One who is on our side. God would have us win. His desire is that our lives will be victorious. And He provides us with all that we need for that victory.
The world has plenty of garbage to feed us that would be detrimental to our spiritual health. But God has given us His Word with all that it contains to strengthen and sustain us. The devil has plenty of evil companions who would corrupt good manners in God’s people. But God has His Assembly and His people to provide us with holy companionship and preservation from bad influences. The flesh has many temptations and lusts to stumble us up and to destroy us. But the Holy Spirit dwells within, and preserves us.
Yes, our foes are mighty. But it is the Almighty One who is with us. If we permit Him to do so, He will grant us victory. -Jim MacIntosh