Romans 8:31 “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”
Psalm 31:15 “My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.”
Matthew 16:17-18 “And Jesus answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
The London Company established James Fort, also known as Jamestown, as the first permanent settlement in the New World. A rotation of guards was a necessary feature of the outpost, and their vigilance was required for the safety and security of the population. At each changing of the guard, they recited the following prayer:
“We know, O Lord, we have the devil and all the gates of Hell against us, but if Thou O Lord be on our side, we care not who be against us. And seeing by Thy motion and work in our hearts, we have left our warm nests at home, and put our lives into Thy hands, principally to honor Thy name and advance the Kingdom of Thy Son, Lord give us leave to commit our lives into Thy hands, Amen.”
These guards were wise to acknowledge the pressing and pervasive threat of the devil and the gates of Hell. Yet, they were astute in relying on the protection of the Lord whose presence would be the deciding factor in their success or failure. They had bravely and faithfully left the safety of home to put their lives into His hands in order to honor His name and advance the Kingdom of Christ.
As Christians in America stand watch today, we would be wise to acknowledge the pressing and pervasive threat of the devil and the gates of Hell. Yet, we must be astute to rely on the protection of the Lord whose presence will be the deciding factor in our success or failure. We must bravely and faithfully leave our comforts and put our lives into His hands in order to honor His name and advance the Kingdom of Christ.
PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIANS TO STAND WATCH FOR THE CAUSE OF CHRIST IN OUR SOCIETY WITH COURAGE, FAITH AND VIGILANCE. He is the deciding factor in our success or failure.
ADMIN: The James Fort prayer is described in “The Power of Faith” by Woodi Ishmael.
