I learned a long time ago that Satan is relentless with his temptations. None us ever reaches a state of invulnerability to his lures. No matter how long we’ve been a Christ-follower, or how long we’ve served Him faithfully with our time and gifts, the evil one still pursues us.

My reflections on such daily warfare inspired this poem.

 

Warfare Prayer

I need strength only You supply,
so I don’t believe Satan’s lie
when he says sin will satisfy
me more than You.
Give me delight for what is pure
so I won’t yield to his strong lure.
Feed me Your Word so I endure,
because it’s true.

When I am on the battlefield,
spur me to wield Your sword and shield
so Satan’s invasions are stilled.
That’s how I’ll win.
Though I resisted yesterday,
my fickle heart is prone to stray,
so daily warfare is the way
to defeat sin.

A thousand times I’ve told him “No!”
Yet he is a persistent foe.
My weaknesses his minions know.
They cause duress.
Yet demons all fell at Your feet.
One word from You and they’d retreat.
They could not stand the fever heat
of holiness.

You promised me You will assist
when Satan rages with clenched fist;
that You’d give power to resist.
I receive it!
What is my part? To come and plead
for You to meet desperate need.
What You promise is guaranteed.
I believe it!

I’m in the fight, though battle-scarred.
I can’t ever let down my guard.
Give foe an inch, he takes a yard.
Please stand by me.
I love this truth for when I fail:
grace and forgiveness will prevail,
since You gave my sin a death knell
on Calvary.

 

Probes to Ponder

What insights about Satan’s character or strategies can you glean from the lyrics?
What do the lyrics state or imply about you and me in relation to sin and temptation?
What means of God’s grace, or weapons of warfare, do I cite in the poem?
What points tucked into the lyrics encourage you in the daily battle against sin?

 

Digging Deeper

The content of each stanza is rooted in in God’s Word. If the theme of the poem resonates with you, look up the Bible passages I cite for each stanza. To do so may require two or more quiet times before the Lord.

Stanza #1  
John 8:44   Jesus called Satan a liar.
Philippians 4:8  Think on what is pure and true.
Hebrews 4:12 & Jeremiah 23:29  God’s Word is powerful.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-7  Purity is God’s goal for us.
John 17:17  God’s Word is truth.

Stanza #2
Ephesians 6:10-17  God provides weapons for warfare.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5  Wield spiritual weapons for spiritual battles.
Proverbs 4:23  Our hearts can’t be trusted and need to be guarded.
1 Peter 2:11 Lusts wage war against the soul.

Stanza #3
Matthew 4:1-11 & 1 Peter 5:8  Satan is persistent with attacks.
Mark 1:23-26; 3:11; 5:1-13 Demons cowered before Jesus and obeyed His command.

Stanza #4
1 Corinthians 10:13 & 2 Thessalonians 3:3  God promises help & strength vs. temptation.
James 4:6-7  Drawing near to the Lord enables us to resist Satan.
John 6:37 & Hebrews 4:14-16  My part is to plead for help before the throne of grace.
Numbers 23:19 & Titus 1:2   God is a promise keeper! He doesn’t lie!

Stanza #5
Mark 14:36-38; Colossians 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:6 Sober watchfulness prepares us for battle.
2 Cor. 5:21; Col. 2:13-14  Our sins were nailed to the cross. We receive grace because He received our punishment for sin.