October 17, 2020
My Weapon
By Natalie Grant
Your presence is my greatest weapon, pushing back the darkness, breaking every chain. My worship opens up the heavens, crushing every stronghold when I speak You name. ‘Cause Your presence is my weapon.
I had a scary night last night… I don’t even really know how to explain what happened, but I was lying in bed trying to fall asleep when all of a sudden, these dark thoughts started swirling around in my head. I couldn’t shake this sense of fear and anxiety. But I knew that these thoughts and feelings were coming from Satan. Have you ever felt the presence of evil and just knew that that was Satan? Well, that’s how I felt last night.
I don’t know what triggered those thoughts and anxieties. I had a great day at work and a relaxing evening. I felt well and happy. Then suddenly, I sensed this wave of darkness come over me. I had scary thoughts and feelings. How did I know that was Satan? Because God does not give us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). I felt no power, love, and self-control, but I felt all the fear.
It didn’t dawn on me until after the fact, but I was in battle with Satan last night, so I fought back with the only thing that is truly stronger than the presence of Satan—the presence of God. I cried out to Jesus and said his name aloud repeatedly; I recited Bible verses like Philippians 4:6 and I read a bunch of Psalms. I also listened to scripture-based songs like “I Lift My Eyes” (based on Psalm 121) and “Evensong” by Kristyn Getty.
All my efforts to thwart away my fears and Satan’s evil thoughts resulted in the presence of God coming upon me. I was calmed by the comfort and peace that only Jesus can bring. Through all this, I was reminded of the song, “My Weapon,” by Natalie Grant. God’s presence is our greatest weapon against Satan’s attacks.
Satan attacks in many ways and he is always launching new battles we must overcome. Some examples of battles that I’m sure we all fight or have fought in one way or another include fear, anxiety, depression, doubt, addiction, and, of course, temptations of many kinds. When those battles come, we must rely on God to help us defeat the enemy. He is our greatest weapon against depression and anxiety. His power can help us break the chains of addiction. God and his almighty Word, the sword of the Spirit, can help us thwart off temptations.
Satan knows your weaknesses. He knows when you are most vulnerable, and he will use that to his advantage. For me, I feel like I am most vulnerable to the Devil’s wily ways at night when I’m trying to wind down for bed, which is why I believe Satan chose that moment to attack last night.
I once saw a quote online that read, “When Satan is working double time, be in prayer overtime” (author unknown). When you are being faced with temptations, when your mind is being filled with the Devil’s lies, when you are being attacked with fear and anxiety, when you are trying to pull yourself out of depression and addiction, turn to Jesus. Bring all your brokenness to the Lord and confess your need for a Savior. Pour out your heart in worship to him. Combat the lies of the Devil with the truths of God. Look to the example that he set before us when tempted by Satan in the wilderness. Jesus used the Word of God to thwart of temptation (Matthew 4:4), so we should do the same.
Fighting Satan may be difficult at times, but it is not impossible. First of all, the Bible says that the same power that rose Jesus from the dead lives in us (Romans 8:11, Ephesians 1:18-21), so that should give us the confidence to believe that we can defeat sin. Secondly, we are reminded that God will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear and that there is a way out of temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13).
I hope that as you listen to “My Weapon,” that you are encouraged by the fact that God in his almighty power is fighting for you. Allow his presence to pour into your lives, your hearts, and your minds so that he can help you overcome sin and the schemes of Satan. Put on the full armor of God so that when evil comes your way you can stand your ground (Ephesians 6:13) and do so with the confidence that comes with knowing that God is on your side.
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.
Ephesians 6:10-12
