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Gospel Summary: Life in Enemy Territory

Today I read: 1 Kings 19, Psalms 40-41, Daniel 1, and 1 Thessalonians 2.

Gospel summary: God delivers his people from those who seek their lives, saving them from destruction to the Rock of refuge, so we his people need not be bound by fear, but bold in faith. We can live in enemy territory here and still be used by God tremendously to serve him.

Prayer: Father in heaven, I praise you for rescuing me from the lion's mouth by crushing the head of the serpent, Satan, by means of the cross. As I walk through life in enemy territory, keep me strong in faith, even when I feel like a sheep among ravenous wolves. Help me always remember that the Good Shepherd will only let me endure a certain amount of hostility from his enemies and will never let them triumph over me forever. When it seems your opponents have all but defeated your people, grant that I may see even them as captives of the great enemy of Adam's race, and know that Satan has already been defeated and his eternal condemnation awaits. As I press on in faith fix my eyes on the Day you will come to my eternal rescue, and grant that your kingdom reign would continually advance here through me. I pray this in your name King Jesus, amen.

Hymn: "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" by Martin Luther

A mighty fortress is our God, 
A bulwark never failing; 
Our helper He, amid the flood 
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe 
Doth seek to work us woe; 
His craft and pow'r are great, 
And, armed with cruel hate, 
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, 
Our striving would be losing; 
Were not the right Man on our side, 
The Man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be? 
Christ Jesus, it is He; 
Lord Sabaoth, His name, 
From age to age the same, 
And He must win the battle.

And tho' this world, with devils filled, 
Should threaten to undo us, 
We will not fear, for God hath willed 
His truth to triumph thro' us.
The Prince of Darkness grim-- 
We tremble not for him; 
His rage we can endure, 
For lo, his doom is sure, 
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly pow'rs, 
No thanks to them, abideth; 
The Spirit and the gifts are ours 
Thro' Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go, 
This mortal life also; 
The body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still, 
His kingdom is forever.

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