DAILY DEVOTIONAL – JULY 6, 2023 Surrender that Leads to Triumph By David Wilkerson

A triumphant church is rising up today, coming out of great trials of faith. This last-days church is emerging from long days of affliction and adversity. The Holy Spirit is at work bringing his people out of a reliance on themselves so that he can show himself strong. Even if you’ve been walking with Jesus for years, you may today be facing a time of severe testing in your life. Things coming at you seem to be overwhelming, things that only God can do something about, and you realize that only he can bring you through. This is exactly where God wants you and where you will find peace. You are strongest when you let him take control. We can rejoice in the knowledge that God is training and equipping people everywhere to be defenders of the faith. He needs people like you and me who have surrendered ourselves wholly to him. He is calling people who are fearless in the strength of the Lord and who will stand for righteousness. As the Bible prophesied, nations are fighting against nation. Many even have factions within their borders that have been at war continuously for years, destroying the morale and hope of the people. In many countries, God’s people are experiencing suffering, afflictions and torture. I am certain there is a divine eternal purpose in the intensity of these spiritual and physical battles now being endured in the body of Christ, but these people need our prayers. They need us to call upon God to rescue them from the enemy. God will go to war on our behalf, but he does not use conventional warfare. He has never established armies of vengeful, hate-filled warriors, and he has never used carnal weapons. Instead, he pulls down strongholds by his mighty lovingkindness and tender mercies. His battle plan is simple. He wins hearts and minds with tender, merciful love. When we storm heaven to deliver us from peril, he will answer! We can then stand together and say, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3, NKJV).