Revelation 12:11 – And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb…

Revelation 12:17 – The dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.

Lord God, I read Revelation and it becomes clear that there is a spiritual war going on around us all of the time. It’s clear that the Devil is a roaring dragon, a fire-breathing dragon who wants to destroy Jesus followers. It’s clear that we are in the last days before you return. Lord Jesus, it’s easy for me to fall into a way of thinking that forgets we are at war. He wants to lull me into a false sense of security and complacency. And when he has lulled me to sleep, he will come like a lion crouching in the tall grass, ready to pounce. It’s that dangerous for me to fall into false sense of safety. And it happens so easily when things in my life are going well. When things in life are smooth, it’s easy to think that things in the spiritual realm are smooth too. But it just isn’t so. The Devil is furious and he is off to make war on those who follow Jesus – that’s me! Lord Jesus, keep me always alert, awake, and aware of the devil’s schemes. He is at war with me and he wants my soul. Also, keep me always alert as a watchman. The devil isn’t just after me, he is after all of the people in my life. You’ve given me to them to sound the battle cry, to rouse them for battle, the battle that is coming to us because the devil hates us. At the same time, Lord Jesus, help me to rest my soul and my head on the ultimate victory that you won on the cross. That victory is mine. The devil can’t have me. Let this confidence live in my heart and give rest to my soul. Amen.