Playing for Keeps

Friend, this life isn’t for the faint of heart. You were born on a battlefield, and the enemy is playing for keeps. It is no use pulling punches: He aims to steal from you, kill you, and destroy you (Jn. 10:10a). It is not enough for him to take what the Father has promised you, and it is even not enough to take your physical life. No, the enemy of your soul wants to destroy your soul and the generational legacy you are meant to pass down!

It is critical we understand the above. But it is even more critical you use that understanding not as cause to dwell on it, but as motivation to stand on the Truth of the almighty God’s response to it!

The enemy might be playing for keeps, but you serve the Keeper! Your God is the Keeper and guardian of your soul, and the enemy is no match for Him!

The enemy might be out to steal, kill, and destroy, but the Living God came to Earth and infills you now that you might have life, and have it to the fullest (Jn. 10:10b)!

My friend, in Numbers 6:24-26, God instructs Moses to tell Aaron and his sons to proclaim this priestly blessing over the Israelites:

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

You are very likely familiar with this blessing, and perhaps have recited it with your faith community, or even sang one of the many songs it has inspired. It is a powerful, powerful blessing in so many ways.

But today, I invite you to consider the blessing in two specific ways.

First, the Lord desires to bless you, and shine upon you, and turn His face toward you. That is His desire and His pursuit. But you, like me, walk through times when those things feel far away. Even then, as His blessings and His countenance chase you down, what is promised? Your keeping! His graciousness! His peace! Even as you wait for the full revelation of His blessing, He will guard you and pour His peace out over you!

Next, do you know what follows this blessing? After God instructs this blessing to be given to the people, what does He say next? Do you know? Have you heard? Listen to this:

“So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them” (Num. 6:27)

After all is said and done, after the enemy’s attacks, and after the Lord’s proclamation is made, what is the result? The people are marked by the very name of God! Their identity is fully consumed in His, and nothing has the power to stand against them (Deut. 11:25).

So today, my friend, as we turn our attention to the happenings of an Earth in which the enemy is real and on the prowl, remember, the Keeper has put His name on you! He has called you by name and declared you as His own (Is. 43:1). The things of this world are entrusted to us for a time, and we are to engage them in His power, but they ultimately have no power in the presence of the One who is jealous for you.

The enemy plays for keeps, but he is no match for the One who keeps you!

The following article originally appeared in Thann’s “The Equipped” Weekly Newsletter. For more information on Thann’s weekly email, click here.