WHEN A STRONGER THAN HE COMES

"When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoil." - Luke 11:21-22

Notice the strong man is guarding his own palace, implying this man has rightful ownership of what he is occupying. His goods are in peace describes there's no contradiction, no disagreement regarding this. His kingdom is not in conflict, but well-protected in a self-assured way.

When a stronger than he comes, he overcomes that secure fortress. He wages war, completely disarms the man, confounding and destroying his (false) sense of peace and safety. The stronger one then divides the plunder, and the balance of power and prosperity changes hands from one kingdom to another.

Jesus told this allegory in response to those accusing Him of being in league with Satan when He freed a mute man from demonic clutches. Jesus, the "stronger than he" of the story, displayed His ability (yet again) to bind and incapacitate demons that have arrogantly ruled and ravaged this world since the Fall.

Have we come upon strongholds that we or others are subject to…or have passively accepted? Will we enlist in the Lord's Resistance and depose them? As part of His body, do we, also, see ourselves called and aptly fit for "stronger than he" exploits? Remember, it's not physical ability. Daniel 11:32b declares, "but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits." Read Luke 11:22 again with ourselves in mind: "But when [we] a stronger than he comes upon [the enemy] and overcomes him, [we] take from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divide his spoil." Yes, and Amen!

On the other hand, what's to prevent our own trusted, guarded, yet perhaps inert positions from crumbling before a stronger enemy? The answer is to enter the fray, lest, God forbid, we're overcome or ones who scatter, as Jesus warned in the next verse, "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters" (v. 23).

Let's fight offensively using those weapons mighty in God. (Jesus was not playing defense.) What choice do we have? Darkness will not simply roll over and let us take a lick of ground. Gather with Him or scatter. The beginning of Luke 11 records invaluable insight into prayer. Jesus speaks of a persistence, urgency, over-boldness, and shamelessness necessary to bring about interventions the Father desires to give. Our primary help and foremost ask is the Holy Spirit. As a loving Father, He answers in goodly abundance.

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (Luke 11:13).

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled (2 Cor. 10:3-6).

God's power delivers "when a stronger than he comes…" Answer the call and come.

  - Elese