Start your day with quick daily devotions: February 19, 2021

Scripture Reading - Ephesians 6: 10-20 Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against. . . the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the celestial realms. - Ephesians 6:12 With the request "Deliver us from evil" (Matthew 6:13, KJV), we implore God to protect us from the powers of evil. Some of our English translations also describe this as protection from the "evil one," that is, from Satan or the devil. Certainly "evil" and "evil" both threaten to annihilate us. As the book of Ephesians points out, the dark forces on earth and the powers of evil in the spiritual realms are lined up against us. In another passage, the Bible also warns that our "enemy, the devil, goes about like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5: 8). We live in a world full of terrifying enemies.

We should be equally horrified, though, by the evil that lurks in our hearts, tormenting us with greed, lust, envy, pride, deceit and more. In the face of our adversaries and sinfulness deep in our hearts, we cannot help but cry out to God: "Deliver us from evil!" And we can trust God to help. Through his Holy Ghost, we can be strong “in his mighty might” and be equipped with the spiritual battle gear we need to stand firm and serve God with confidence. Prayer: Father, alone we are weak and helpless. Deliver us from evil, pray and give us the faith and security we need to serve you with courage. Amen.