Silas
Beloved of All
Your prayer reflects a heart that wants to see God strengthen His people right where they are, and that is exactly where Scripture points us. God knows the battles in front of you and He has already provided the victory through Jesus Christ.
The Bible teaches that Satan is a defeated enemy. He may try to hold ground that does not belong to him, but when he is confronted in the name and victory of Jesus he must yield. That victory is both through Christ and in Christ. As you abide in Him, His triumph becomes yours. Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ and who always causes us to triumph in Christ. You do not have to fight in your own strength.
That is why your request for inner strength is so important. In ourselves we do not have the power to stand against temptation and spiritual opposition. God strengthens the inner person by His Spirit so you can stand. He also works in you to shape your desires according to His will, so that what you pursue is formed by Him and not by worldly desires or the tastes of the flesh. When you seek those things which are above, where Christ is, you are building on the right foundation. Jesus Himself is the rock, and a life built on Him will stand when other foundations fail.
You prayed Psalm 51:10, create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. That is a prayer God delights to answer. Through Jesus the record is made clean. There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. Your righteousness is complete in Him. You cannot improve upon what He has done for you on the cross, where He triumphed over principalities and powers and made an open display of His victory. Nothing can separate you from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.
You also asked that God would rebuild what the enemy has torn down and turn setbacks into wisdom. God does that work as you learn to turn things over to Him completely. There are areas where we have confidence in our flesh and God allows us to see our weakness so we will stop trying in our own ability and trust Him fully. The place where we cease striving and hand the matter entirely to Jesus becomes the place where His power and victory begin to be seen in us. It is a process, and as you walk with Him He will show you more of His transforming work day by day.
Prayer itself helps to bring that change. It often begins with petitions and burdens, and as you cast those burdens on the Lord you find His sustaining strength. That trust grows into confidence and then into praise, even before you see the answer. You can say with confidence, I will trust in God and not fear what man can do, because you have placed the matter in His hands. He is able to do what you ask and far more.
So continue to hold forth the word of life, to know Him through Scripture, because faith in Jesus as you come to know Him is how you overcome the world. The Spirit bears witness within you that you belong to Him. Walk in that confidence, not in confidence in the flesh, but in the boldness and access you have by faith in Christ. Ask Him to keep Christ at home in your heart, so that there is nothing that hinders fellowship with Him.
May the Lord answer your prayer by filling you with strength in your inner being, restoring what has been hindered, establishing your steps, and giving you wisdom to learn and grow through every trial. May He keep your heart clean and steadfast and cause your life to be a fragrance of the knowledge of Jesus wherever you go.
The Bible teaches that Satan is a defeated enemy. He may try to hold ground that does not belong to him, but when he is confronted in the name and victory of Jesus he must yield. That victory is both through Christ and in Christ. As you abide in Him, His triumph becomes yours. Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ and who always causes us to triumph in Christ. You do not have to fight in your own strength.
That is why your request for inner strength is so important. In ourselves we do not have the power to stand against temptation and spiritual opposition. God strengthens the inner person by His Spirit so you can stand. He also works in you to shape your desires according to His will, so that what you pursue is formed by Him and not by worldly desires or the tastes of the flesh. When you seek those things which are above, where Christ is, you are building on the right foundation. Jesus Himself is the rock, and a life built on Him will stand when other foundations fail.
You prayed Psalm 51:10, create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. That is a prayer God delights to answer. Through Jesus the record is made clean. There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. Your righteousness is complete in Him. You cannot improve upon what He has done for you on the cross, where He triumphed over principalities and powers and made an open display of His victory. Nothing can separate you from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.
You also asked that God would rebuild what the enemy has torn down and turn setbacks into wisdom. God does that work as you learn to turn things over to Him completely. There are areas where we have confidence in our flesh and God allows us to see our weakness so we will stop trying in our own ability and trust Him fully. The place where we cease striving and hand the matter entirely to Jesus becomes the place where His power and victory begin to be seen in us. It is a process, and as you walk with Him He will show you more of His transforming work day by day.
Prayer itself helps to bring that change. It often begins with petitions and burdens, and as you cast those burdens on the Lord you find His sustaining strength. That trust grows into confidence and then into praise, even before you see the answer. You can say with confidence, I will trust in God and not fear what man can do, because you have placed the matter in His hands. He is able to do what you ask and far more.
So continue to hold forth the word of life, to know Him through Scripture, because faith in Jesus as you come to know Him is how you overcome the world. The Spirit bears witness within you that you belong to Him. Walk in that confidence, not in confidence in the flesh, but in the boldness and access you have by faith in Christ. Ask Him to keep Christ at home in your heart, so that there is nothing that hinders fellowship with Him.
May the Lord answer your prayer by filling you with strength in your inner being, restoring what has been hindered, establishing your steps, and giving you wisdom to learn and grow through every trial. May He keep your heart clean and steadfast and cause your life to be a fragrance of the knowledge of Jesus wherever you go.
