WIELDING THE SWORD
“No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper.” Isaiah 54:17a.
What an awesome promise! But why is it that so many of us feel like weapons formed against us are prospering? Of course we know that all things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purposes (Romans 8;28), and that not all of those “things” seem good in the moment. But as I look around, I see the devil having a good old time tormenting God’s people, and most are either sitting in apathy thinking there is nothing they can do, or blaming and rejecting God for His cruelty.
Many times in scripture the Bible is compared to a sword. It is able to strike down and defeat the work of Satan when it is used. That is the key though isn’t it? It has to be taken up and put to use.
So often we want the promises God offers without doing our part that is critical in obtaining the promises. I’m not talking legalism here, I’m talking love. In every love relationship, there is a giving and a receiving on both parts or it not really a relationship. I was struck with the reality of this truth this morning as I read and studied Isaiah 54:17. It is a well quoted verse…well at least the first part is. “No weapon formed against you shall prosper.” That’s the familiar promise, and an awesome one at that. But as we look further we see that we have a part to play if we are to see the fulfillment of the promise.
Perhaps we need to look at the whole verse and break it down:
No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment, you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is of Me, Says the Lord.
No weapon, [vessel of destruction, instrument of unrighteousness, armor-bearer, equipment or apparatus, no thing, human person or spirit… which includes deception, bacteria, infection, virus, disease, infirmity, curse, plague,] that has been formed against me, [fashioned, planned, predetermined, framed or is under assignment with the purpose of ending, finishing, completing, ceasing, consuming or destroying either my body, soul, life or the plans and purposes of God in and through my life], shall prosper, [come to pass, or be effective],
And every tongue, [or language of men, spirits, animals or fire, that curses, slanders or accuses me,] that shall rise [stands or persists in trying to establish itself with power] against me in judgment [with the intent of lawfully ordering me to stop my obedience to God and/or sentencing me with plague, torment or suffering of any kind as discipline, retribution, retaliation or revenge], I shall condemn… [turn the tables on the true accuser (Satan, his principalities, powers, demons) and come against him with the wickedness he was trying to place onto me as I expose and condemn him as the true guilty party.]
This is my heritage, [my possession, rights, property, inheritance, birthright], a servant, [bondservant], of the Lord [Jehovah, the Existing One, the One True God], and my righteousness [in this case, for this cause, is vindicated, justified, saved and will prosper because this righteousness] is from God, [one of His attributes which covers me completely through His Son Jesus and the blood of the Lamb], says (which is an utterance or declaration that precedes a divine name) the Lord [Jehovah]. *
It has been helpful to me to make a contract with the Father. I signed it and posted it on my refrigerator so that I see it and remember it every day.
ISAIAH 54:17 CONTRACT
In Jesus’ Name I claim the truth and promise of this scripture. I accept the inheritance given to me as a servant of Jesus Christ, and will agree to do my part in fulfilling the responsibility it gives me. I will not operate in fear, doubt, apathy, complacency, procrastination, busyness, control or the lust of the flesh, all of which are self-worship. I choose to believe the truth of God’s Word and will cling to, trust in and rely on Jesus. I will diligently seek the Lord in study of His Word and prayer, and will be quick to listen to and obey the Holy Spirit. I will take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ and will guard my heart and my mind. I will be sober and alert, watchful for deception and enemy attacks. I will stand firm in my faith, dressed in God’s righteousness, and armed for spiritual battle. I will take up the sword of the Spirit and use the gifts, weapons, keys and tools God has given to me for use in His Kingdom. In the power and authority of the risen Lord Jesus Christ, I will condemn the true accuser, taking him captive, stripping him of his function, and placing him under the authority and judgment of the Lord God through the blood of Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. I choose to love and worship the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love others. I submit my spirit, soul and body to God, to be used as His hands and feet to teach the Kingdom of God, to bring hope, healing and freedom in Jesus’ name, and to destroy the work of the devil, the reason the Son of God came. No weapon formed against me will prosper.
Signed _________________________________________________________________________________________________
*The meaning has been taken and built on from Strong’s Concordance
Buried Treasure Unlimited 