Joshua 1:6-9 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Just as Joshua and the nation of Israel went in to conquer territory that was ruled by evil men, that land of prosperity and blessing that God had promised was theirs, we the church also have territory to take in our day. We have ceded ground in our nation in government, in schools, in society at large. Everywhere we turn, there is darkness where lying and cheating reigns. There is no fear of God. It seems that most men “do what is right in their own eyes” and the thoughts of men are on evil continually, as in the days of Noah, when the flood came and destroyed all of the evil on the earth.

Those living in darkness today think nothing of destroying government property and records, denying and obfuscating requests for information to those assigned oversight, stealing taxpayer’s money by submitting false receipts and overcharging simple tasks. Government officials don’t give it a second thought. Your money is their money, right? They have become arrogant and are now rulers instead of servants. Is it because we have not demanded it of them? Are we compliant? I think to some degree we, the people must be.

The church of our time is the standard-bearer. Are we holding a standard that is righteous, that is against darkness and instead giving light to our society? We are not helpless because we have the Word of God and the Spirit of God, but do we understand the authority that has been invested in the church by Jesus? He is waiting until His enemies are made His footstool, Hebrews 10:13 says. How will His enemies be made his footstool? He already defeated the devil’s power on the cross. He opened the way for His church to live in the light and not in darkness. Then He gave authority over demonic powers to His followers so they can set others free. The Church is His Body today in the earth and therefore is to co-labor with Jesus in implementing the plan to make His enemies His footstool. How do we do this? By using the authority He gave us.

He said I give you the keys of the Kingdom, (Matthew 16:19) whatever you bind on earth is bound in heaven, and occupy until I come (Luke 19:13). His sent His disciples out to cast out demons, heal the sick, and raise the dead. This was their training. They came back rejoicing that devils were subject to them. They liked this authority. We have that same authority. God has given it to us, but are we using it to change the world we live in as the early disciples did? I fear we are not, and the current condition of our world is evidence that demons are having their way and God’s people are failing to challenge them sufficiently.

We are equipped for this battle. We are all here “for such a time as this.” We win if we don’t quit. But in order to do so, we must know two things. We must know who we are in Christ and we must know what this authority is that Jesus has given to us to overcome evil and set spiritual captives free.

I have written much in previous posts about our identity in Christ, how the sinless Jesus took on Himself our sins, and then imputed to us His own sinless right standing with God. That gives us identity and confidence in our relationship with God. We must know that. It is a most important part of our “spiritual armor.”

This identity made the 17 year old sheepherder David able to go out and take on the giant Goliath with confidence. Because David had spent time with God, he had confidence that he could take down Goliath ….and we can too, no matter how big and hopeless things appear. We have been given authority over darkness. We are to use it. Let’s be engaged so that Jesus’ death is not in vain.

It looks like the devil is in charge, but he is not actually. We the church are! The only answer to our dilemma is a return to God in our land. It is coming! Let all of us in these times be engaged in finding and doing the will of God.

Dear Jesus, I present myself to you as a living sacrifice, ready to serve Your purposes in the earth in these times. Help me to understand what You need of me. I commit to seek You with all my heart because I only trust Your desires for me. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may have the power to be Your influence in the earth and build Your Kingdom.