Written by Pastor Mark Driskill
September 13, 2011

Read Ephesians 1:19-23

I’m a budding squirrel hunter. I’m not really that good at it but I love walking around in the woods and looking like one anyway. Usually I never even see any squirrels to say nothing of actually shooting one. However the other day I shot one. The little critter was way up in the top of a tree. After a few minutes of debating whether or not I was close enough to get a good shot, I took aim and fired. It was a hit! I watched as he did a free fall from the tree all the way down to the ground. Then I ran to the spot only to discover that he was gone. While I had knocked him down I had not taken him out. The little guy is probably still laughing at me with all his little squirrel buddies.

This makes me think of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The devil took aim at him and with the help of evil men struck him dead on a cross. Unlike the squirrel of course, Jesus died. But on the third day when everyone went to the tomb expecting to find him there, he was gone. Death was defeated and the Son of God was risen in power. The enemy was able to knock him down but not take him out. Resurrection power overcame death. But it gets even better.

According to our passage today the same resurrection power that raised our Lord from the dead resides within the true believer today. Paul prayed that the church would have their eyes opened so that they would see “what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead.” What does this mean? It means that you can be knocked down but you can’t be taken out. Today you may feel that the enemy of your soul has taken aim and blasted you out of your comfort zone. You may be feeling yourself doing a free fall into some crisis or disappointment. You may think your life is over and you will never recover. But my friend, nothing could be farther from the truth. Child of God remember that when you first came to Christ and placed your faith in him you were sealed with the Holy Spirit, who is our guarantee of life and hope in all circumstances (Ephesians 1:13-14). As you feel yourself falling headlong into an uncertain future, know that in Christ you are indestructible.

You may be knocked down but you cannot be taken out. Today why not take a moment and speak to God. You may say something like this: “Lord you know my situation. It is beyond my control. I am hurting and in need of your help. Thank you for your promise of power. Thank you for your presence in my life. I trust you right now with this whole situation and ask you to guide me as I walk through it by faith. I trust you completely and thank you for the victory to come. In Jesus name, amen.”

Remember today that as a follower of Christ you are certain to endure many trials in life, but he who died and rose again is faithful to give you the victory as you trust in him. God bless you today. Be mighty in him.

Pastor Mark Driskill
Web Minister of Begotten By the Word web ministry
See our website at http://ourchurch.com/member/b/bbtw
and
www.facebook.com (to group “begotten by the word”)
Begotten By the Word is a ministry of Helping Hands Christian resources-Evangelism Outreach
www.hhcr05.org
(Feel free to copy in any way that will bring glory to God and further his kingdom.)