Dear Friend,

     Do you expect a lot of yourself? Perhaps even more than you should in your present circumstances? Would you say that you might be too hard on yourself at times?

     It is possible to be too critical of ourselves in our walk with the Lord. Could we always do better? Of course we could. But sometimes, we need to recognize that we have done our best, not shirking our responsibilities. When that is the case, we can confidently acknowledge that, having done all we can at present, we are standing firm.

 

Welcome Encouragement

     My father-in-law and mentor, Don Basham, could encourage me better than anyone I know. I leaned upon his close friendship, especially when I was feeling like a failure. When I would talk to him about some mistake I had made, his standard response was: “Well, Richard, I think that’s why the eraser is at the end of the pencil.” Hearing his gracious words, I would walk away from our conversation with a lift in my spirit.

     Don knew what it was like to battle through a barrage of opposition from the enemy, especially as a result of the deliverance ministry he and Derek Prince engaged in together as colleagues, good friends, and fellow warriors. In the face of that kind of intensity, it was often a challenge to handle the normal, routine tasks of life.

     On those occasions when the warfare he faced seemed to be the most grueling, requiring all the stamina he could muster, Don would encourage himself and others with this statement: “Sometimes, just to be standing at the end of the day is a victory.” In his experience of life and spiritual warfare, he knew the value of simply standing firm.
 

You Are a Victor

     As I was formulating this monthly letter, I had a clear sense that the Lord wanted me to give you a word of encouragement for the trials you may have been facing lately. Here it is: if you have fought hard, if you have withstood the attacks of the adversary on your life, and if you are still standing at the end of the day, you are a victor.

     Don’t let the enemy persuade you otherwise. Believe me, he will try! He is known as the accuser of the brethren for good reason. That is his main activity against us—all day and all night before the very throne of God. Don’t help him out by agreeing with his accusations against you. Instead, deliver this message to him: “I’m standing firm!”

 

Remain Standing

     The passage from which this encouragement comes is Ephesians 6, the great chapter on spiritual warfare. In verse 13 of that message to the Ephesians, Paul says, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

     This teaching from Paul leaves no doubt in our minds that we are in a pitched battle against an enemy who hates us. We may not always be as successful in resisting him as we might have hoped. But our main obligation is simply to remain standing. At the end of the day, after the battle has subsided, our aim is to be standing firm.

Down, but Not Out

     In 2 Corinthians 4:8–10, the Apostle Paul sounds a similar note of victory and encouragement regarding the perplexities which face us: “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.”

     What would the accuser try to tell us in our times of distress? Nothing but sheer condemnation. He would rail: “You are forsaken; you are crushed; you are failing at every turn; you’re blowing it!” Has the enemy tried to inflict those words upon you recently? Instead of agreeing with him, this is the right response: “No, I am standing firm!”

Facing the Opposition

     In the second part of an uplifting radio series entitled, “God Revealed in His Names,” Derek Prince helps us face the reality that battling against the enemy is a part of the Christian life. In the following quote, Derek provides some insights for us.

   

    In our journey through life and in our attempt to enter the inheritance God has provided for us, we are always going to face opposition. This is not just something that happened once. It is going to happen from generation to generation. The Lord is going to take our side, and He is going to stand with us in the opposition. But we are going to have to fight these battles.

     The particular aspect of the Lord’s help we want to bring out here is in the name of the altar Moses built: “The Lord My Banner.” The Lord has given us a banner that will bring us victory in the warfare we have to go through.

     There is much in the New Testament about this warfare. For instance, in Ephesians 6:12, Paul says: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
 
     In other words, we as Christians are going to encounter opposition and warfare—although our war will not be with physical enemies, but with spiritual, Satanic forces that will oppose our journey.

 

A Bold Proclamation

     Clearly, as Derek confirms, warfare is a reality in the Christian life. Sometimes we win; other times we take a hit. However, instead of being critical of ourselves—instead of siding with the adversary in his railings against us—let’s counteract his accusing work with a proclamation of victory and truth. Will you do that with me now?

     
    Lord Jesus, in Your name, I stand against the accusations of the enemy. By Your grace and by Your strength, I am standing firm against everything the accuser would say to me. Indeed, I am standing firm in You and Your endorsement and approval of my life in You.

     I proclaim that I am not a failure. In You, Jesus, I have the victory over all the works of the devil. You are my Banner, O Lord, and I take up my stance under Your protection. I put on Your full armor, Lord, so that I may able to counteract the enemy’s accusations against me at this time. Having done all, I will withstand the adversary, standing firm. In Your name I pray. Amen.

    

More than Mere Words

    The proclamation you and I have just made is more than a brash collection of words. We have driven a stake into the ground. We have shouted our declaration in the name of Jesus right here in the middle of the battlefield of our lives, standing tall and standing firm as we watch the enemy slink away before us.

     All of us need help in continuing to stand in the victory Jesus has won for us. We gain strength and confidence as we study the Word of God, and that is why Derek’s teachings are so vital to our progress in the Christian faith. It is our joy at DPM to be able to provide what you need, starting with the message that is the source of Derek’s quote: “God Revealed in His Names, Part 2.” It will help you to stand strong.

     Speaking of standing, we are so grateful for the way you are providing such faithful support for the fulfilment of the goals of Derek Prince Ministries. Through your prayers and your financial contributions, we are able to place Derek’s teaching in the hands of believers all over the world. We can’t thank you enough for your help.

    

Hearing the Right Voice

     Every one of us knows what is like to hear the accusations of the enemy against us. He is subtle and deceptive, and at our moments of greatest vulnerability, he uses every underhanded method to try to whisper his lies in our ears.

     As I close this letter, my thought is that we need to shut down the drone of his evil megaphone. Instead, we need to listen to another sound—the affirming voice of our Lord Jesus. If we listen closely, we will hear His words from Matthew 25:23: “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful….Enter into the joy of your Lord.”

     As we shut off the steady drip of the enemy’s accusations; as we silence our own critical words against ourselves; and as you and I decide to listen instead to the voice of Jesus affirming us, we will be able to stand—weary, but victorious.

     Having done all, we will be able to make this declaration: “I am standing firm.”

    

All the best,

 

 

 

Dick Leggatt
President, DPM–USA

P.S. Thank you again for being so faithful in your partnership with us. We are grateful to you. Please accept our free offer for “God Revealed in His Names, Part 2,” the message from which Derek’s quote was taken, as a token of our thanks.