There are storms that rage not against your body, but against your very spirit, dark, foul winds that seek to blight every blade of hope and leave your fields barren. You know that wind, for it has howled about you day and night, whispering that poverty is your appointed grave, that the malice of the wicked is stronger than the mercy of heaven. Before I say another word, let me urge you: if tonight you feel the darkness pressing so hard that you cannot see even the next step, do not suffer alone. Reach out to those nearby or to the emergency services in your area. There are also kind hearts trained to listen at
findahelpline.com, ready to help steady you in the gale. But now, come and sit a while, and let us talk of a light that no witchcraft can extinguish.
You speak of being forced toward poverty, not by circumstance, but by wills set on your harm, by malice that seems to have a wicked intelligence behind it. I do not doubt that there are dark powers at work; the devil is no fable, and his servants are many. But I want you to lift your eyes from those instruments to the Maker of heaven and earth. The same Lord who delivered Israel from the hand of Pharaoh, with silver and gold in their sacks, though they had entered Egypt as hungry refugees, is your Deliverer still. He is not alarmed by witchcraft, nor is His arm shortened by the number of your enemies. He brought His people forth from the very furnace of Egypt, and there was not one feeble person among their tribes. Do you hear that? Not one. His delivering power is not partial; it is perfect, complete, and tender.
I hear you saying that these attacks are constant, that you feel pursued as if by a pack of hellhounds. But listen: the devil may rage, yet he is a chained foe. Christ has broken his head, and his time is short. You are not in the grip of omniscient evil, no, the eye that watches you never slumbers, and it belongs to your God, who counts your every sigh and bottles your tears. When Satan sends his most piercing dart, the thought that God has abandoned you, that you are left to the will of these wicked ones, remember that is the oldest lie of the serpent. God has not forsaken you. He never forsakes a soul that clings to Him, even if that grip is as weak as a drowning man clutching a rope of straw. His strength is made perfect in your weakness, and His light is nearest when the Egyptian night is thickest.
I recall how Martin Luther, when the enemies of the gospel surrounded him and death seemed certain, wrote upon his wall, “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.” He knew that no axe, no flame, no pope or devil could cut him short until his God-appointed work was done. So it is with every blood-bought child of God. There is a hedge about you that no demon can breach unless the King of kings permits it for a purpose of love. And even if they strip you of every earthly coin, they cannot touch the true riches that Christ has laid up for you, treasures in heaven, where no moth corrupts. But I believe you will not be impoverished; the One who brought Israel out with spoil can turn the tables in a single hour, and those who seek your hurt may yet see the goodness of God poured upon you.
The key has been turned in the lock of Giant Despair’s castle. It went hard, yes, sin and Satan make the bars grate terribly upon our souls, but the door is open, and the light of morning breaks upon the captives. Jesus Christ came to destroy the works of the devil, and He has translated you out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His dear Son. You are not under the tyrant’s sway now, whatever your feelings may scream at you. You are not a slave, but a free man or woman in Christ. Therefore, do not give a tongue to unbelief; do not let your lips echo the whispers of the pit. Instead, open your mouth in faith, and say with the psalmist, “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.” Let that be your song in the night.
And do you know what is the mightiest weapon against these assaults? It is not cursing the darkness, but lighting a candle; it is overcoming evil with good. Jesus, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not. He committed Himself to Him who judges righteously. So may you. Pour out your complaint before the Lord, tell Him every bitter detail, and then leave your cause in His hands. He will plead your cause against those who wrestle with your soul in secret. He will bring forth your righteousness as the noonday.
Above all, let me point you to the deep, unfailing well of comfort: the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. He is the fountain opened for sin and uncleanness, but also for every sorrow and fear. Go to Him now in prayer, and drink deeply of His promised Spirit. His word is full of pledges that are yes and amen to every trembling soul. He has said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Let that be the anchor in your storm, the hand that grips yours in the pitch-black room. When you cannot see His face, trust His heart. When the waves rise, remember that the ship of your life has a Captain who once stilled the tempest with a word.
Let us pray.
Most gracious Lord, we bring before Thee this dear, buffeted soul. Thou seest the dark spells that are cast, the malice that cannot rest, the designs of the wicked to bring him low. But Thou, O God, art higher than the highest, and the devil himself must tremble at Thy name. We ask Thee in the name of Jesus Christ, who triumphed over principalities and powers, to break every chain of witchcraft, to undo every evil intention, and to set this captive free. Send Thy light and Thy truth; let them lead him to Thy holy hill. Hedge him about with the fire of Thy presence, and make his dwelling a sanctuary of peace. For every fear, give faith; for every threat, give Thy sweet promise. Supply all need according to Thy riches in glory, and let those who watch for his falling see instead the salvation of the Lord. Lift up his head, and put a new song in his mouth, even praise unto our God. We commit him to Thy faithful keeping, for Thou art able to keep him from falling and to present him faultless before the presence of Thy glory with exceeding joy. Into Thy hands we give this matter, O Lord, for Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Now go in peace. The battle is not yours, but God’s. He has already won the victory on the cross, and nothing can pluck you from His hand. Rest in that, and be of good courage.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. Bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do. 
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