As believers in Jesus Christ, we are engaged in spiritual warfare with unseen wicked forces. To overcome our enemy in the power of the Holy Spirit, we must remain resolute in our confidence in God and determine never to accept defeat.

A story from the Korean War illustrates this attitude. As enemy forces advanced, Baker Company was cut off from the rest of their unit. For several hours no word was heard, even though headquarters repeatedly tried to communicate with the missing troops. Finally a faint signal was received. Straining to hear, the corpsman asked, “Baker Company, do you read me?” “This is Baker Company,” came the reply. “What is your situation?” asked the corpsman. “The enemy is to the east of us, the enemy is to the west of us, the enemy is to the north of us, the enemy is to the south of us.” Then after a brief pause, the sergeant from Baker Company said with determination, “The enemy is not going to get away from us now!” Although surrounded and outnumbered, he was thinking of victory, not defeat.

Lord Jesus, help us to stand firm in the victory You’ve won for us through Your death on the cross and Your resurrection from the grave.

   — Dennis J. De Haan