ou would likely recognize a tidal wave approaching you. I’d hope that you would notice a raging river that would swiftly carry you off if you didn’t remove yourself from harm’s way. In the physical, it’s not hard to recognize what will most definitely crush us. Why then, in the spiritual realm, which is far superior to the physical (Ephesians 6:12), does it seem that we are all so easily sideswiped? Not just that, but we usually are slow to defend our joy, to stand for our faith, and to guard our love. We give way to the pummeling and then wonder what in heaven’s name just hit us. Recognizing the trickery of spiritual (and eventually physical) theft, murder and destruction is more than half the battle. When the enemy hits us with the full force of his floods, there’s also a heavenly reaction that can be set off in our favor. Our cry (sometimes a prolonged cry or even a fast, see Daniel 10) for help will cause the Spirit of the Lord to come against those floods in swift and violent defeat. David said it this way, “This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.” (Psalm 34: 6&7)
We sustain spiritual attacks for a variety of reasons. Maybe, although probably not nearly as likely as we’d want to think, our enemy feels threatened by the call God’s placed on our lives and the reality of what potential Jesus has placed in us. Most of the time, like the remnant of Israel, we’ve simply gone astray. In falling away, we openly welcome the attack. The Confession given by this remnant in Isaiah 59 is all too appropriate for each one of us, especially when we’re overwhelmed by darkness.
We look for justice, but there is none;
For salvation, but it is far from us.
For our transgressions are multiplied before You,
And our sins testify against us;
For our transgressions are with us,
And as for our iniquities, we know them:
In transgressing and lying against the LORD,
And departing from our God,
Speaking oppression and revolt,
Conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.
Justice is turned back,
And righteousness stands afar off;
For truth is fallen in the street,
And equity cannot enter. (Isaiah 59: 11-14)
First off, there’s genuineness in their confession. You know they mean it. I wonder how often we try to fool God with a quality impersonation of true repentance. I know I’m guilty, anyway. Those times when I don’t really want to deal with my sin or my issues. Sometimes it takes the Spirit of God to viciously remind me of how far I’ve fallen and just how desperate my condition is, but even then He does so with such a measure of grace and mercy. Once I’m serious about confession, though, everything changes. It’s like the light illuminates every ounce of my darkened heart to reveal the generous redemption of Christ. Redemption in Jesus can ever so quickly soak up, like a sponge, the deep regret of a heart living in error.
The beauty of true confession is that it always comes with two very distinct and supernatural works. The first is that it redeems us to our Father through the forgiveness of the Son. (Acts 26:18) Humble and genuine confession prompts the heart of God to take pity on His kids and puts into practice the power of the cross. Secondly, it Heals us. It restores us to a place of worship, experience, understanding, and softness of spirit in such a way that we’re once again set fully free. I’m such a proponent of true confession. I’ve seen it so powerfully at work in my own life but also in the lives of so many others.
This is a frightful but great reminder that when you turn away from evil, and confess your sins, you should actually expect an attack. There’s also a great promise in Isaiah 59:15-19 below.
Then the LORD saw it, and it displeased Him
That there was no justice.
He saw that there was no man,
And wondered that there was no intercessor;
Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him;
And His own righteousness, it sustained Him.
For He put on righteousness as a breastplate,
And a helmet of salvation on His head;
He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing,
And was clad with zeal as a cloak.
According to their deeds, accordingly He will repay,
Fury to His adversaries, Recompense to His enemies;
The coast lands He will fully repay.
So shall they fear
The name of the LORD from the west,
And His glory from the rising of the sun;
When the enemy comes in like a flood,
The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.
This “lifting of the standard” is also translated as “To put to flight” or “to drive out hastily”. After doing a little research I found a commentary that suggested the idea here was the high rushing waters of the enemy coming down a narrow river canyon, wiping out everything in it’s path and rushing towards you. God, in His power, simply stands with you and breathes out against the oncoming waters. They instantly are forced to retreat back up the mountain from which they came. Amazing.
“The Redeemer will come to Zion,
And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,”
Says the LORD.
“As for Me,” says the LORD, “this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants’ descendants,” says the LORD, “from this time and forevermore.” (Isaiah 59: 20&21)
Two things that are with us always and forever. The SPIRIT of the Lord and the words (or Word) of God. My prayer lately has been: “Jesus, I request more of your Spirit and more from your Word, regardless of the cost”. It’s been a dangerous prayer but I wouldn’t change it for the world. Jesus, please come in Your power, and retreat these enemy floods!
