Why Should We Fight?

Boxing.

I hate to admit it but I’ve always had a fascination with the sport. This week, while slipping in and out of sleep, I watched parts of the late night bout between Manny Pacquiao and Jeff Horn for the WBO Welterweight Championship fight. The underdog, Jeff Horn, nicknamed “The Hornet,” surprised his home crowd in Brisbane, Australia by toppling the defending champion in twelve rounds. It was a unanimous decision, and referred to as one of the biggest upsets of all time.

While we might not ever enter a boxing ring, we too can stage upsets through spiritual warfare. We often feel like the underdog when the battle seems too fierce.

A loved one might be sick.

A child may have addictions.

The marriage might be on life support.

Is there a situation where you feel hopeless?

But if you don’t stand in the gap for your family and friends, who will?

We are not the underdog when our loving God fights the battle for us.

In Psalm 107:15 it says, “Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron.”

In other words, our prayers have bulldozer strength in another person’s life because God does the fighting for us.

Whatever strongholds have overtaken our loved ones, whatever veil of deceit covers their eyes, it can all be removed through the power we have through prayer.

But we have to do it. We have to take the time to enter God’s presence and lift up these concerns.

There is no power in neglect.

Make a list of those who need holy iron cutters to break through the bars that hold them hostage, emotionally or spiritually.

Ephesians 6:12 reminds us, “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 enemy of our souls wants to hold our loved ones hostage.

He will discourage you because he knows the power your prayers have. He will make your schedule so busy that there’s no time to pray. And he will make you think you have no power over a situation.

Realize this; bind the enemy and step into the ring.

With God throwing the punches, you are not the underdog.

He is ready to fight the battle for you. All you have to do is turn it over to Him through prayer, and you too, could stage an upset. (LBW)