Daily Journal: 12 July

Blooming Unretreatable

The komodo is a huge, muscly lizard who preys on wild animals. They’re greedy. They’re mean. They’re fast and wily, and can work in groups. In some cases, komodo prey on animals much larger than themselves, but in many cases their targets are defenseless prey, such as babies, little and immature. Babies need their aggressive mamas who will charge at the komodo. The mamas have learnt to fight back because they’ve learnt that komodos can’t stand up to them. When an adult charges, the komodo runs because they know they are no match for an adult ready to attack. They’re just big bullies. The adults are prepared to aggressively force them into retreat. Komodos are intimidators.

Matthew 11:12 (AMPC)

And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize—a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion].

A group of komodos is a lot like Satan and his demons. Once the mature Christian knows how to fight aggressively, the powers of hell cannot prevail against them.

Matthew 16:18-19 (NCV)

On this rock I will build my church, and the power of death will not be able to defeat it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; the things you don’t allow on earth will be the things that God does not allow, and the things you allow on earth will be the things that God allows.”

As we draw near to God, the intimacy that we grow into with Him gives us the sight and the authority to stand in the position He places us in. We refuse to retreat but rather take ground, push back the enemy who constantly tries to advance and spook and intimidate us. When we know who we are in God, no weapon can have power over us. This is the knowledge we need to truly understand and carry, tucked into our belt of truth.

Isaiah 54:17

(NKJV) No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the Lord.

Another translation says it this way:

(GWT) No weapon that has been made to be used against you will succeed. You will have an answer for anyone who accuses you. This is the inheritance of the Lord’s servants. Their victory comes from me,” declares the Lord.

As you speak to any attack, as the Lord gives you the words to say, the actions to take, you will stand your ground and advance. Battles cannot be won through passivity or lack of zeal. Tests are overcome by blooming and growing stronger in the trial. Battles are fought with unretreatable dedication and use of force. Wars are won with perseverance and knowledge.

Being blooming unretreatable is to bloom even as you doggedly move forward, unintimidated, undeterred, knowing your power in Christ, understanding your position, and being intent on taking the ground that Satan wants to steal from you, which God has ordained for you to have.

I pray that we will understand God’s designation for us. I pray that we will be blooming unretreatable and valiant in every battle, understanding we are in a war for light over darkness, and we will take ground with irrepressible zeal.