Leading The Way - Week of October 21, Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef

Leading The Way - Week of October 21

October 21, 2019

Week of October 21

Strength Against The Enemy

As Christians, we will face opposition because of our faith. A neighbor might snub us, for example, or a co-worker may ridicule us. In the middle of these attacks, we may be tempted to call them the enemy. But our true enemy is spiritual in nature.

Are you under a spiritual attack today? Perhaps Satan is tempting you to sin. Or maybe he is using a broken relationship to grow seeds of bitterness in your soul. Whatever tactics the enemy uses to try to trip us, we have no reason to fear because we have God on our side.

In Psalm 27, we see that David trusted God to provide His protection and strength. “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident” (Psalm 27:1–3).

David was able to go into battle with confidence because he began his battle in prayer. When we call upon God’s power instead of fearing our circumstances, we are on the path to victory. The more time we spend in prayer and worship of our Savior, the less we will feel afraid. The only way to be a successful spiritual warrior is to start as a successful worshiper: “Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord” (Psalm 27:6).

When we forget to seek Him on a daily basis, we become easy prey for the enemy. The enemy is always present, ready to trip us up or to lure us down the wrong path. “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour“ (1 Peter 5:8).

We desperately need God’s guidance to lead us in the right direction. Yet when we neglect our relationship with God, we become insensitive to His voice. We need to remember David’s cry: “My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face!’ Your face, Lord, I will seek” (Psalm 27:8).

There are times when God will call us to act immediately during a battle. But there are other times when He wants us to wait upon Him, so that He may act on our behalf. What seems like a frustrating delay is God’s preparation for a great blessing to come. “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:13–14).

Sometimes it takes as much courage to wait upon God as it does to act in His name. As we wait before the Lord in worship and as we walk with Him daily, He puts His strength in our hearts. “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31, ESV).

As we look at David’s example in Psalm 27, we see that he worshiped God, walked with God, and waited upon God. How close is this strategy to your own battle plan? We need to remain in a constant state of readiness, recognizing that the only way to find victory is through God. Confess to God today the times when you have neglected the worship that He deserves. Seek forgiveness for the times you ignored His voice. Confess your impatience during His calls for waiting. Seek to follow God wholeheartedly—not only during times of battle, but also in a daily walk with Him.

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Counting Stars in an Empty Sky
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About Leading The Way

Along with partners committed to changing the world, Dr. Michael Youssef is leading the way for people living in spiritual darkness to discover the light of Christ. By passionately proclaiming uncompromising Truth through print, web, television, and radio, this international team of experts is uniquely providing hope that is revolutionizing lives at home — and around the world.

What began as a small local radio ministry in 1988 has grown into an international ministry reaching millions for Christ — including a vast audience in the Muslim world seeking Truth in closed countries. Leading The Way's television and radio programs are broadcast in more than 28 languages to audiences across six continents. Leading The Way also produces DVDs, CDs, books, a monthly devotional magazine, solar-powered Navigators, and daily e-devotionals to spread the light of Christ. In 2009, the ministry launched its own 24/7 satellite TV channel, reaching the Muslim world with Gospel programming in English, Arabic, French, and Indonesian. Leading The Way utilizes field teams to evangelize and disciple viewers in closed countries and help persecuted Christians on the ground.

Dr. Youssef and the Leading The Way staff are committed to sharing the Gospel with the lost and equipping believers to grow into a deeper walk with Christ. Learn how you can partner with this unique ministry today.

About Dr. Michael Youssef

Michael Youssef, Ph.D., is the Founder and President of Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef, a worldwide ministry that leads the way for people living in spiritual darkness to discover the light of Christ through the creative use of media and field ministry teams. His weekly television programs and daily radio programs are broadcast more than 13,000 times per week in multiple languages throughout the world. He is also the founding pastor of The Church of The Apostles in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Youssef was born in Egypt and lived in Lebanon and Australia before coming to the United States. In 1984, he fulfilled a childhood dream of becoming an American citizen. Dr. Youssef holds degrees from Moore College in Sydney, Australia; Fuller Theological Seminary in California; and a Ph.D. in social anthropology from Emory University. He has authored more than 50 books, including popular titles Saving Christianity?, Hope for This Present Crisis, Life-Changing Prayers, and Never Give Up. He and his wife reside in Atlanta and have four grown children and 11 grandchildren.