the make-up of a conquerer

I can't say I ever quite really listened to these words that I sang so often as a child but they are SOOOO powerful- just LOOK:
A mighty fortress is our God, 
a bulwark never failing; 
our helper he amid the flood 
of mortal ills prevaling.  
For still our ancient foe 
doth seek to work us woe; 
his craft and power are great, 
and armed with cruel hate, 

on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, 
our striving would be losing, 
were not the right man on our side, 
the man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?  
Christ Jesus, it is he; 
Lord Sabaoth, his name, 
from age to age the same, 
and he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, 
should threaten to undo us, 
we will not fear, for God hath willed 
his truth to triumph through us.  
The Prince of Darkness grim, 
we tremble not for him; 
his rage we can endure, 
for lo, his doom is sure; 
one little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers, 
no thanks to them, abideth; 
the Spirit and the gifts are ours, 
thru him who with us sideth.  
Let goods and kindred go, 
this mortal life also; 
the body they may kill; 
God's truth abideth still; 
his kingdom is forever.

Standing in church this morning singing this old hymn made me really stop and listen. It amazed me that I never realized this song spoke so explicitly about spiritual warfare but, WOW.


Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. 
- Eph 3:20-21 NASB


and isn't that the truth??! no matter how prevalent the attacks of Satan are in my life 
GOD. IS. ABLE.
HE. WILL. WIN.
TRUTH WILL TRIUMPH THROUGH US
and
NO ONE can change that!




so why DON'T i ask?
i thought this point interesting while reading "A Reason for God" about a month or so ago; that Satan and God are NOT equals warring against each other as is often portrayed but, rather, GOD ALONE rules and Satan is simply a lowly angel who happened to rebel and therefore leads a life in opposition to God's will. 





so often i become overwhelmed by the prevalence of evil in the spaces of life all around me and yet i forget that my God has the last say, that Satan canNOT do anything outside of what He allows, and that God CAN!!

but sometimes in my "own strength [i] confide"



What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. ... Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. - Rom 8:31-33, 35-37 ESV

no matter how naive i may seem through the choices i make in facing the realities and disappointments of life, i AM a CONQUEROR for i KNOW God has better things in store for me than i- or anyone else- could ever think up or imagine for my life.




and
THAT.IS.PEACE.