Strut Your Stuff!
Walking Boldly in God’s Authority
Scripture: Isaiah 59:19-21, Deuteronomy 20:1-4 (NASB)
Introduction: Have you ever felt like you were knocked down for the last time? Like the enemy has thrown everything at you, and you just don’t have the strength to get back up? I’ve got a message for those of you who have ever been in trouble… for those of you who have faced problems… for those of you who have felt alone, abandoned, or under attack.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that just because you’re saved, sanctified, and filled with the Spirit of God, you’re exempt from trouble. Jesus Himself said in John 16:33, “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” And Job declared, “Man who is born of woman is short-lived and full of turmoil” (Job 14:1, NASB).
But here’s the good news: When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him (Isaiah 59:19)! God’s got your back!
*** "You were made to walk in victory, not defeat—so go ahead, strut your stuff, because the authority of God is with you every step of the way!" ***
- God Has Sanctioned the Spirit to Lift Up a Standard (Isaiah 59:19 KJV)
“So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.”
Floods don’t ask permission before they come. They rise quickly and overtake everything in their path. And just like floodwaters, the enemy comes at us—sometimes suddenly, sometimes persistently—seeking to drown us in doubt, fear, and despair.
But here’s the promise: “The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard.” The Holy Spirit is our Advocate, our Defender, our Protector! Romans 8:26 reminds us, “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness.”
When the enemy whispers, “You’ll never make it,” the Holy Spirit reminds you, “I’ve got your back.”
When the enemy tries to remind you of your failures, the Spirit declares, “You are more than a conqueror through Christ!” (Romans 8:37).
The Holy Spirit stands between you and the flood, raising up a standard of power, protection, and victory. You don’t have to fight the enemy alone—God has already lifted the standard!
** Imagine standing at the edge of a riverbank when suddenly, a massive flood rushes in. The water is fierce, raging toward you, threatening to pull you under. You feel the force of the current pushing against you, trying to sweep you away.
But then—just when it seems all hope is lost—a mighty dam rises before you, stopping the flood in its tracks. The rushing waters crash against it, but they cannot break through. Instead of being overtaken, you stand firm, safe behind the barrier that has been lifted on your behalf.
That’s exactly what the Spirit of the Lord does for you! When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Holy Spirit doesn’t just slow him down—He STOPS him! He raises up a standard, a supernatural defense, that the enemy cannot penetrate.
So the next time the enemy comes rushing in with doubt, fear, and defeat, remember—God’s Spirit has already built the dam. The flood may come, but it cannot overtake you!
So, strut your stuff, God’s got you back.
- God Has Reinforced Us with the Redeemer (Isaiah 59:20)
Not only does God raise a standard against the enemy, but He has also sent the Redeemer to fight for us! Jesus didn’t just come to save us from sin—He came to deliver us from the grip of the enemy!
The word “redeemer” in Hebrew is ga’al—it means avenger, deliverer, rescuer. Jesus is not just your Savior; He is your Defender!
When you feel weak, He is your strength. When you feel trapped, He is your way out. When you feel broken, He is your healer.
Paul tells us in Romans 8:31, “If God is for us, who is against us?”
When the enemy attacks, God doesn’t call in the National Guard—He sends His Son, Jesus Christ! And because of His sacrifice, you are reinforced, strengthened, and victorious!
** Picture a warrior trapped on the battlefield, surrounded by enemies. The enemy forces close in, swords drawn, ready to strike. There’s no way out—no escape. The warrior is wounded, exhausted, and outnumbered.
You know…Kind of like in "Saving Private Ryan" (1998) – The final battle in the film sees Captain Miller and his small squad trying to hold off an overwhelming German force in a desperate last stand. Just when all hope seems lost, reinforcements arrive, changing the outcome.
I digressed; Back to my story… Picture a warrior trapped on the battlefield, surrounded by enemies. The enemy forces close in, swords drawn, ready to strike. There’s no way out—no escape. The warrior is wounded, exhausted, and outnumbered.
But suddenly, the sound of galloping hooves shakes the ground. A mighty warrior rides in—clad in shining armor, wielding a sword of fire. With one powerful sweep, He scatters the enemy, breaking their ranks and driving them away. He dismounts, lifts the wounded warrior to his feet, and declares, “You are not alone—I fight for you!”
That’s what Jesus, our Redeemer, does for us! When the enemy closes in, when fear and failure try to overtake you, Jesus doesn’t just send reinforcements—He IS the reinforcement! He steps into the battle Himself, driving back the forces of darkness and standing in victory on your behalf.
So when you feel weak, remember—your Deliverer has already arrived. The battle is His, and because of Him, you stand victorious!
*** This here should make you strut and squawk like a chicken!!
- God Has Covered Us in His Covenant (Isaiah 59:21)
The final assurance we have that God’s got our back is His unbreakable covenant. A covenant is stronger than a promise—it’s a divine contract!
** The key difference between a covenant and a promise is the level of commitment and obligation involved:
- A Promise is One-Sided (Unilateral)
- A promise is a declaration that someone will do something or that something will happen.
- It is usually made by one person and does not necessarily require anything in return.
- Example: God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:2-3—God promised to make him a great nation, bless him, and bless all nations through him.
- A Covenant is a Binding Agreement (Mutual Commitment)
- A covenant is a formal, binding agreement between two or more parties, often with conditions that both must uphold.
- In the Bible, covenants are sacred agreements between God and His people, sealed with an oath, sacrifice, or sign.
- Example: The Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 19-24)—God gave Israel His Law, and in return, they were to obey and be His chosen people.
Key Differences in a Biblical Context
|
Feature |
Promise |
Covenant |
|
Nature |
A simple declaration |
A binding agreement |
|
Parties Involved |
Usually one person making a commitment |
Two or more parties in mutual agreement |
|
Conditions |
Usually unconditional |
Often conditional, requiring both sides to uphold their part |
|
Example |
God promised Noah never to flood the earth (Gen. 9:11) |
God made a covenant with Abraham, requiring circumcision (Gen. 17:9-10) |
A Covenant Can Contain Promises
A covenant often includes promises, but a promise by itself does not necessarily establish a covenant. For example, the New Covenant through Jesus Christ (Luke 22:20) is a binding agreement where God promises salvation, and our response is faith in Christ.
In Hebrews 8:10, God reaffirms His new covenant: “I will put My laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”
This means that God has committed Himself to you! You are covered under His covenant:
- Covered in His protection (Psalm 91:1-4)
- Covered in His goodness (Psalm 23:4-6)
- Covered in His strength (Isaiah 41:10)
- Covered in His peace (John 14:27)
When you belong to God, you are covered from head to toe in His faithfulness! No attack of the enemy can prosper because God’s covenant cannot be broken!
Conclusion: Stand in Confidence—God’s Got Your Back!
So, what do you do when the enemy comes in like a flood?
- Stand firm on His Word—The Spirit lifts up a standard!
"Stand Firm on His Word" means:
- Trusting God’s Promises in Scripture
- No matter how fierce the battle gets, God’s Word is unshakable.
- The enemy may flood you with lies, fear, and doubt, but God’s Word is your foundation.
- Isaiah 40:8 (NASB) – “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.”
- Refusing to Be Moved by Circumstances
- Life’s storms will come, but you don’t have to be swept away by emotions, fear, or doubt.
- Matthew 7:24-25 (NASB) – “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
- When you stand firm on His Word, you remain steady even when the enemy attacks.
- Using the Word as Your Weapon
- Jesus fought the enemy with the Word of God (Matthew 4:4 – "It is written...").
- When Satan tries to overwhelm you, declare what God says about you!
- Ephesians 6:17 (NASB) – “Take... the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Bottom Line :Standing firm on His Word means believing it, living by it, and using it as your defense when the enemy comes in like a flood. The Word is your solid foundation, your anchor in the storm, and your weapon in spiritual warfare!
- Trust in Jesus, your Redeemer—He is your defender!
- Trusting in Jesus as your Redeemer means fully relying on Him to rescue, restore, and fight for you. It’s not just believing who He is, but also believing what He has done and continues to do in your life.
- Your Redeemer has already won the battle—you just need to trust Him enough to walk in that victory!
- Rest in God’s covenant—You are covered, secured, and victorious!
- Resting in God’s covenant means having confidence in His unbreakable promises and living with peace, knowing that He will never fail you. It’s the assurance that God’s commitment to you is sealed, secure, and eternal.
- You don’t have to fight for what Jesus already secured—rest in His covenant, knowing that He’s got you covered!
Tell your neighbor: “God’s Got Your Back!”
*** Let me leave you with this: You don’t have to fear the fight when you know Who’s fighting for you! The next time the enemy comes your way, just lift your hands and say, “The battle is not mine, but the Lord’s!” (2 Chronicles 20:17).
If God’s got your back, you don’t have to look over your shoulder—you can move forward in victory! Amen!
