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When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him (Isaiah 59:19, KJV).
Have you ever experienced unrelenting difficulty or spiritual attack?
Not the normal “hard to get out of bed, my cereal box is empty, and somebody said something rude to me at work,” but “unexpected expenses, illness, relational difficulties, losing your job, and friends belittling you” trials.
The King James Version describes this as “when the enemy shall come in like a flood.” The KJV also gives the solution – that the Lord will fight your battle by “lifting up a standard against your enemies.”
More modern translations translate Isaiah 59:19 as:
According to their deeds, so will he repay, wrath to his adversaries, repayment to his enemies… for he will come like a rushing stream, which the wind of the Lord drives (vv. 18-19, ESV)
One version has our enemies coming like a rising flood with the Lord providing safety on the shores of His protection, while other versions give the image of a raging torrent sweeping away our problems and adversaries.
I must admit, that with some of my enemies, I like the idea of a firehose of God’s wrath sweeping them away!
I pause, I pray, and I repent of this thought!!!
Because the phrase “raising up a standard” is King James Version – I’ve heard many followers pray, “God, raise up a standard against our enemies.” A better-translated prayer would be, “Destroy this difficulty and defeat my enemies.”
Two points: God wants to fight for you, and you need to ask for His protection.
I like the King James Version of 1 John 4:4:
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.
The undergirding reason of scripture is to provide encouragement to fight our battles in faith. We can’t see God, and unfortunately, we see our problems looming large. Faith in God’s Word can increase our faith to believe in…
A standard of security during the flood.
That the Lord will fight this battle for you, so have peace.
The Spirit of God in you is greater than anything that confronts you in the world.
My prayer today…
Father, give me faith. Strong faith to know that You will fight this battle for me. I claim victory in the power of God’s Spirit!