LENT WEEK 1: DAY 10

Weapon is a word that’s closely related to battle. Every battle is fought using weapons and often, the one with the most sophisticated weapons causes higher damage than the other. This fact is also true of spiritual battles. Spiritual battles are a matter of weapons and you can’t win such a battle if you don’t have the right weapons. Every spiritual battle that was fought from time immemorial was fought using spiritual weapons. The first example was that of Moses and his staff (Exodus 4:2). God turned his shepherd staff into a weapon of warfare to bring plagues in the land of Egypt. Elijah will do the same when he turns prayer into a weapon to defeat the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18). St Paul will come to remind each one of us that these weapons are not carnal but they are God’s powerful weapons in the pulling down of evil (2 Corinthians 10:4). I would like us at this point to look at what these weapons are and how they have been used in the past and in recent times.
The First of them is the NAME OF JESUS/ THE NAME OF GOD. The name of Jesus and the name of God is a powerful weapon given through which men can be saved (Acts 4:12) and Peter affirms this when he declares that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Acts 2:21). St Paul will further affirm this by declaring that at the mention of the Name of Jesus every knee must bow whether in the heavenly places, on earth or under the earth (Philippians 2:10). This shows the immensity of the power in the Name of Jesus. It transcends the human realm into heavenly and other realms. So, in whatever realm the battle is, the name of Jesus has the power to make every knee bow in defeat or in adoration. When faced with the battle against Goliath, David was clear that he is coming against him in the NAME OF THE LORD (1 Samuel 17:45) a detail many people omit. It is the name of the Lord that won the battle for David. Notice that David listed the weapons of Goliath but when it came to his own weapons, he listed just the Name of the Lord. The name of the Lord is a powerful weapon against evil. It is always powerful in healing and deliverance. Peter in healing the man at the beautiful gate said “in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth the Messiah” and the miracle operated. Jesus himself will confirm this power in his name when he declares that “in My Name they will cast out demons” (Mark 16:17). There is power in the Name of the Lord and to make the usage of this name sacred, God through Moses will warn the people not to take the name of the Lord in vain (Exodus 20:7). This is to show how important and powerful the Name of the Lord is. The Name of the Lord is the Lord and it works wonders. It is a source of protection for those who run to it and Proverbs says it is a strong tower (proverbs 18:10). Jesus himself declares that he kept safe all the Father gave him in the Name of the Lord (John 17:12). The Name of the Lord is a sure place of safety where no evil can snatch or touch those who take refuge there. It is also a source of blessing for those who walk in it. The people at the triumphant entry shouted blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord (John 12:13). St James declared that anointing the sick with oil in the Name of the Lord will make them well (James 5:14). The Psalmist will push it further when he affirms that while others boast in their chariots and horses, we boast in the name of our God (Psalm 20:7-8). In the lord’s name, we make our boast for we know and are sure that in his name we have everything we need. In his name, we win the battle against evil and we stand firm in times of trial. We can go on and on about the name of Jesus our Lord and take lots of examples to show how effective this Name is in the life of Christians. We who believe in him must take advantage of His name and use it for the Glory of his name and our wellbeing. Lots of people say they called His Name in times of trouble and nothing happened and I ask them whose name did you call? Do you know the person you called or you just took a chance hoping it works? The Name is a powerful weapon for those who know him and walk in his ways. May the Name of Jesus be our saving remedy and our blessing. Amen.

In Corda Matris.

Resolutions

I resolve to reverence the Name of the Lord.
I resolve not to take the name of the lord in vain.
I resolve to use the name of the Lord for the greater glory of God and the good of all.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I acknowledge your greatness and the power in your Name and I bow before your majesty. Teach me Lord to take refuge in your Name and through your name be blessed. Teach me to use the power in your Name to set myself free and also free all who are in bondage. May your Name be for me a source of freedom and protection.

Amen.