Jesus Didn't Back Down

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Jesus Didn't Back Down

Andrea Lende • December 13, 2021

Luke 13:31-32

Jesus Didn’t Back Down

You can listen to the devotion and prayer at: https://anchor.fm/andrea-lende/episodes/Jesus-Didnt-Back-Down-e1bleiu

Luke 13:31-32

“At that very hour some Pharisees came up and said to Him, Go away from here, for Herod is determined to kill You.”

“And He said to them, Go and tell that fox [sly and crafty, skulking and cowardly], Behold, I drive out demons and perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish My course.”

Jesus did not back down from His enemies.

I don’t always think of Jesus as having enemies, but He had many.

Even the Pharisees who gave Him the warning in our passage were probably against Him.

So many of His own people rejected Him.

Rejection was real two thousand years ago and is alive and well today.

We can look at how Jesus responded to His enemies and learn from Him.

Jesus recognized the type of person who was against Him.

He saw Herod as a “fox [sly and crafty, skulking and cowardly]”.

And He sent the message saying He’d continue to do His good works and had no plans of stopping.

I typically back away from enemy confrontation and negativity.

But Jesus shows us differently.

He teaches us to recognize the kind of person who is attacking us.

And then continue on with doing good.

In verse thirty-three He said, “Nevertheless, I must continue on My way today and tomorrow and the day after that – for it will never do for a prophet to be destroyed away from Jerusalem!”

Most people would have fled from the fate of destruction.

But He walked straight into it.

I don’t believe the Lord desires we walk into harm’s way, but He does show us strength.

And we can call upon His strength as we do battle.

Today I choose to be strong in the Lord and continue to walk out the plan He has for me.

May you find the Lord is with you to help you fight against the enemies and powers that come against you.

Daily Prayer:

O Lord, my God, thank You for revealing Your strength through Your Word. Thank You for sending Your Son to show me how to stand strong in the face of adversity. Thank You for helping me recognize the weakness of the enemies against me. Lord, help me call upon Your strength in these difficult times. You are my Shield and my Sword. You are my Refuge and place of Solace. You rise up and fight the foes I face. Thank You for watching over and protecting me in all You ask me to do. Instill an extra measure of courage and faith in me today. Help me move forward in Your plan for me and be obedient to You in every way. May I hear Your voice leading and guiding me. Light the path You ask me to walk. Help me bless someone this day. Thank You for hearing my prayer.

Answer: I AM the Great I AM, and I AM with you through all the battles you face, My child. Nothing shall in any way harm you.

Response: Undeserving of Your watchful care, thank You, Almighty and All-Powerful Lord.

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