Daily Devotions based the Sermon from January 31, 2021
THIS WEEK: A Mission-Minded Person Knows their Opposition!
Nearly 10 years after the attack on the twin towers in New York City, the mastermind behind the attack was dead.
May 4, 2011, Robert O’Neill and Navy Team Six descended in secret on the compound of Osama Bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan. As the operation unfolded, O’Neill ended up being the front person who entered the third-floor room where bin Laden was and fired the fatal three shots.
A made-for-movie operation like this is not one that happens accidentally. Years of training for each of the Navy Seals along with years of intelligence gathering led to the end of one of America’s greatest enemies.
For a mission like this to be successful, each member of the team has to know the OBJECTIVE. What is the reason for the mission? In this case it was the demise of bin Laden and the confiscation of electronic data and information for intelligence purpose.
But knowing the OBJECTIVE wasn’t enough. They also had to know the OPPOSITION.
O’Neill recounts that they all were preparing for this mission as if it were their last. They knew the compound would be fortified not only with personnel, but with traps and suicide bombers, including bin Laden. They had to be prepared for every possible OPPOSITION.
The result? Victory.
To be on mission for the Lord Jesus we must be clear on the same. What is our objective?
Jesus put the mission this way to his disciples…to us:
- Mark 16:15 Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.
- Matthew 28:19 “Go and make disciples of all nations…
Jesus wants the good news to get to people. He wants the good news to develop people into disciples.
That’s our mission. But it does not happen without opposition. What is our opposition?
The Apostle Peter describes him this way:
- 1 Peter 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith,…
The Apostle Paul describes him this way:
- Ephesians 6:12 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.
The arch enemy of the Christian is Satan. The battle is real. But spoiler alert…“thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Corinthians 15:58)
Jesus will give us the victory…but he wants us to know how the OPPOSITION works. The devotions this week I pray will help us better know our Opposition, so with the Lord’s help, we can win the battles and achieve the mission for which he has sent us!
Apply: How have you seen Satan work in the world…in your life to discourage or curtail the mission of Jesus to bring the good news to hearts of people?
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you for the victory you have won over sin, death and the devil. Give us insight and alertness to know how the devil, our opposition works. Then use that awareness and understanding to help us win as you did, and complete the mission for which you sent us! AMEN.
PASSAGE AND PRAYER for the ministry of Cross & Crown:
Monday – February 1 – 1 Peter 5:2-3
“Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.”
PRAYER: Lord, thank You for the people you have entrusted to our leadership. We don’t take lightly the calling you’ve given us to watch over them. Give us wisdom as we seek to lead them towards Your vision. May we be motivated by love in all we do.