God won’t let the attack work

This article is republished from Dianna Hobbs’ “Your Daily Cup of Inspiration,” one of the Top 100 blogs for women of faith. To get more inspiration like this, visit YourDailyCupOfInspiration.com.

Yesterday on my podcast, I briefly mentioned how sore my legs are from working out. If you’ve been listening, then you know I am on a quest to build my strength back up after suffering a mini stroke this past summer.

Last night, I started thanking God for the soreness I feel in my legs, because last year when my health crisis manifested unexpectedly, my whole left side went numb. I didn’t have any feeling—good or bad. I didn’t have physical strength to exercise. Nurses and physical therapists had to roll me over, sit me up, and do everything for me. It was unclear whether or not I would ever function normally again. So now, I truly see the ability to feel—even pain—as a blessing. Every time I squat, jump, or do an intense workout, I know that I’m doing it by the grace of God. He had compassion on me and saw fit to heal me. Glory to His great name!

Earlier this week, I stumbled across a devotion I wrote just before I went through that shocking health battle. I was writing about how God won’t allow the enemy’s attacks to work. I had no idea that I was about to go through a major attack in my own life. I now sit back and marvel at how fitting the message was for me. I didn’t know it, but God was preparing me for that trial.

Just before being hospitalized, I had been studying Acts 5:17-42. In this passage, Jewish officials were jealous of all the miracles, signs and wonders Peter and the apostles were performing by the power of the Holy Spirit. So they arrested them, threw them in jail and attempted to shut down the ministry. A Pharisee named Gamaliel, a highly-respected teacher of the law, stood up before the elders of Israel and reminded the leaders of the story of two men, Theudas and Judas. Both these men had tried (and failed) to lead a revolt but were killed, and their followers were scattered.

After giving those examples, Gamaliel said in verses 38-39, “Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

“Expect Satan to attack you, but also expect the attack to fail, because you are surrounded by favor, and God is blocking every weapon formed against you. It will not prosper!”

— Dianna Hobbs

I talked about how the work of Peter and the apostles was no doubt divinely-ordained, and it couldn’t be stopped despite their enemies’ plans. Talk about an on-time word, right? Well, I believe this word will be on time for somebody reading today.

Satan and all the forces of darkness may come against you, but God won’t let the attack work. It might get hard, frustrating, and it may seem that the attack was successful for a short period of time. But hang in there. God has the last say, and He says that you already have the victory.

When Satan rears his ugly head, he has to contend with God, and we know the Lord has an undefeated record. Whatever the attack is—whether it be physical, financial, spiritual, emotional, or relational— God won’t let it work. If you get knocked down for a moment, you won’t be destroyed. God will see to it that you bounce back.

Know that He is on your side, and He is for you. To remind you of this truth, I’m stirring the Scripture I wrote in my devotion before my attack, into your cup of inspiration. It is found in the latter half of Romans 8:31 NIV, which says, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

As you drink down the contents of your cup, know that God will take care of you despite the setbacks, trials and troubles you face. He is not moved, surprised, or intimidated by trouble. God knew you would be in this place before you got here. And yet, the One who is faithful to deliver has promised that no weapon for formed against you—His servant and beloved—will prosper.

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