When a Stronger Man Comes

WHEN A STRONGER MAN COMES

        (Luke 11:19-21)

 

My education continues each day

The Word of God has so much to say

I realize I cannot rely

on my own thinking

so I listen

to the pastor teaching

each one present

drinking

in the revelation

of the Word

and now I see

what God is saying to me

when a strong man

meaning the devil

has all his armor

meaning his deceptions and lies

in place

meaning the captive believes

there is peace

which means the evil one

has succeeded in getting

his captive to succumb

to the illness, the poverty,

the struggle, the problem

then there is peace

which means the deceiver

is happy and in charge

but when a stronger man comes

meaning God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit,

the armor falls away

like dust in the wind

the cookie crumbles

the stronghold collapses

but now the captive

set free

must stay free

not by the Hand of God

but by claiming the victory

with his mouth, his actions,

and his prayers of thanksgiving

he must fill himself up

with God

he must read the Word

fill his own cup

see the lie

for what it was

and stand firm

confessing

the victory has been won

in the Name of God’s beloved Son

and be vigilant

to guard his healing and his peace

for the evil one will not cease

 he is a liar and a thief

and he will want to take you back

and it is up to you

not to let him

do that. 

 

— Julie Evans 12/1/2000