SWHW Bible Reading Plan: December 2021Sample

Top Takeaway from Emily Copeland:

When I was in high school, Louis Vuitton handbags were really popular. At 15, I couldn't afford a real LV bag. So I spent hours on eBay looking for a real, discounted bag. 

To my surprise, I found the exact bag that I wanted (classic brown LV with purple flowers on it), and it was REAL, or so I was told in the description. After the bag was delivered and I proudly wore it to school, I was quickly shown by a friend that my beloved bag was nothing but a counterfeit. 

God reminded me of that awkward and devastating moment in high school as I read the end of Revelation 12. The final verse of this chapter says, "Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus." The dragon here is Satan, and the woman is Israel. 

War he has waged and war he will continue to wage against Christ-followers. I'm currently deep in the pit of despair with two couples whose marriages are falling apart. It's excruciating. It's maddening. It's everything that the enemy is hoping to achieve. We are in the heat of battle, friends.

Just like my counterfeit bag, the enemy uses counterfeit weapons to wage war on our lives. He uses ammo that looks like better opportunities, ammo appearing as happier lives if we do whatever we want to do, and ammo of hopelessness as we examine the state of our current world. 

Satan may start with our marriage, our children, our work, our self-esteem, or our schedule. We have to be aware that he is starting somewhere in our lives. As we keep God's commands and seek His face and glory every day, we will get pushback from the counterfeit ammo flying at us. 

Will we be able to see the difference between what's good from God and what's fake from the enemy?

Here's what I know from my own life; it's easier to see the enemy coming from a hiding place of stillness and safety:

“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” Psalm 32:7.

“You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great. You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way” Psalm 18:35–36.

“You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word” Psalm 119:114.

“Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! . . . But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high” Psalm 3:1, 3.

Our very real enemy will lose in the end, so let's ensure that he doesn't claim a victory in our lives before then. Our hope, provision, security, and salvation are in the Lord Almighty. Let's declare it today!

God, I'm desperate to see the enemy put in his place. His destruction breaks Your heart and will make that final day all the sweeter when he cannot play games with our lives using counterfeit, empty, and deadly promises. Thank You for the hope and safety we have in You as our hiding place and refuge. I trust Your ways today and will follow where You lead. Protect my marriage, my children, and the assignment You've called me to do in Your Name. I love You. Amen.