We are in a battle with unseen forces, but some of us have sometimes seem some of them. The spiritual world is largely unseen but at times we do have dreams and visions where we have seen Jesus, or angels. Or perhaps we have felt some kind of oppression coming against us, or even seem demonic forces in a vision or while in prayer.
The Bible says that our real battle is not against other human beings, but our battle is against the devil and his demons.
In Ephesians chapter 6 verses 10-12 we read: “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armour so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
So when we as Christians feel like we are being oppressed – we are. When we feel like someone or something is choking us – they are. In the Old Testament we read about Michael the archangel who had to battle against demonic forces.
The angel Michael fought for the body of Moses
“But even Michael, one of the mightiest of the angels, did not dare accuse the devil of blasphemy, but simply said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (This took place when Michael was arguing with the devil about Moses’ body.)” – Jude 1:9
Demonic powers are interested in destroying our physical assets and property as well as affecting us physically and spiritually. I remember one event after a night of witnessing to Somalis in the coffee shops where I was dropping my friend off at home. I parked the car and we were talking about the evening and suddenly I felt a force come upon my chest and start to choke me.
I was able utter the words “In the name of Jesus I rebuke you” and the demonic power left me. It was not easy to say the words because my throat was being choked and I could feel the power on the chest.
Another time, actually a few times, there has been unrest at night and some of my children from time to time have had nightmares or very restless sleeps and I have gone into their rooms and prayed and said “In the name of Jesus I command all you evil spirits to leave this room and the area of my home. I command that if there are any Satanists praying against me and my family, I pray in the name of Jesus that the evil they have prayed against me and my family would fall back upon them.”
Another time there was a witch who was praying against a friend and had even initiated bogus accusations against him and was threatening legal action. My friend is a missionary. I prayed in the Spirit that she would be silenced and that the power behind her would be removed so that she would lose her power. Two days later her lungs collapsed and she died.
The name of Jesus has power
I tell you these things, not to frighten you, but to instruct you and tell you that there is a lot of power in the name of Jesus.
It’s a simple thing to remember but necessary and the only weapon we have against the evil one – praying and using the name of Jesus. So use the name of Jesus when you pray, use the name of Jesus when you have to pray against the oppression of the evil one. Use the name of Jesus when you feel discouraged or when you feel like your world is caving in on you. Just remember to use the name of Jesus when you pray.
Jesus has the power to scatter our enemies
Jesus has great power. When we pray in the name of Jesus, when we call upon the name of the Lord to help us, we are calling upon Jesus Himself to show up and help us. The power in the name of Jesus comes because Jesus Himself appears when we call upon Him.
When the soldiers came to arrest Jesus on the night he was betrayed Jesus asked them: “Who are you looking for?”
They replied: “Jesus of Nazarene.”
When Jesus told them who He was they “fell to the ground”.
When something is happening in your life that is not going well call upon the name of Jesus and His presence in the situation will change the situation or change you on the inside to help you cope with the situation.
Sometimes we just need the power of the Holy Spirit to comfort us in a difficult situation, and sometimes we need the power of God to change our situation. In either case, or whenever we need it, we should call upon the name of Jesus if we want to get immediate help.
A real help in times of trouble
Psalm 46:1 says “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”
Sometimes we are in trouble, or in need and we think of the person closest to us “this person is no help at all”. The person may not be able to help us at our time of need; or maybe they just don’t want to.
But God says to us in His word that He is a very present help in times of trouble. In other words, He is a real help in times of trouble, and we can count on Him to be with us whenever and wherever we are in trouble.
So I want to encourage you today, not matter what you are going through, no matter what the difficulty, call upon the name of the Lord. Call out to God so that He can hear you?
Let us pray: “Lord God Almighty. We pray that you will help us all in the name of Jesus. Help us face our difficulties that are coming upon us. Help us face the challenges of the day. We call upon you in the name of Jesus. Amen.”