If You’re In The Ring With It, You Can Defeat It (Part 1)

If You’re In The Ring With It, You Can Defeat It (Part 1)

“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 New Living Translation

The sovereignty of a nation or a ruler is described as the quality of having the highest level of authority or power. A state of sovereignty describes complete self-governance, having controlling influence, and being completely free from external control. When I think about God’s sovereignty, I am reminded of the Book of Daniel. The demonstration of the hand of God throughout the Book, and the interpretation of the dreams in the Book witness to us that “the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men” (Daniel 4:17 NIV).

The account of the experiences of Daniel himself show the favor of God upon the life of a young man who was an example of intelligence, faith, wisdom, endurance, and absolute fidelity to God. However, God’s favor upon Daniel’s life drew many “haters,” especially in high places. His political enemies persuaded King Darius to pass a decree forbidding worship of anyone but the king, under penalty of being cast into a lions’ den. To preserve his religious integrity, Daniel violated the law, but he was miraculously unharmed by the lions. Thereafter he was restored to the office he held within the kingdom (Daniel 6).

Daniel’s experience in the lions’ den testifies of God’s ability to deliver you from the grip of life’s fiercest opponents. Your lion may be temptations to sin, sickness, addiction, high debt, fear, anxiety, depression, workplace conflict, or emotional burdens caused by divorce or the loss of a family member. None of these are formidable opponents to the Living God. God will send an angel to shut your lion’s mouth! I am convinced, as was the Apostle Paul, “that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able toseparate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39 NLT).

In the midst of whatever you’re facing, remind yourself of God’s sovereignty. The stresses and pressures of life can be great, but God is faithful. He’s always in your corner to assure you complete victory!