Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Scripture says the God of Peace will crush Satan?

Today’s scripture, Romans 16:19-20 NLT
[19] But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong. [20] The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Consider…
Saying the God of PEACE will crush seems like an oxymoron. However, when read in context of verse 19 from today’s scripture, it makes sense.

Like a coach, God is saying if you trust me and do things my way, or follow my plan, I will make you win.

Still, I wanted to look deeper into the God of Peace crushing the enemy on our behalf.

The first thing that comes to mind is the alignment with God’s judgement to the Serpent in Genesis 3:14-15 (NLT)…
[14] Then the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all animals, domestic and wild. You will crawl on your belly, groveling in the dust as long as you live. [15] And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”

Of course this scripture is prophesying the ultimate coming of Jesus and His victory over Satan, but it’s also a good reminder that God is the judge, jury and executioner.

I believe that’s why Romans 12:19-21 (NLT) exhorts us…
[19] Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. [20] Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” [21] Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

God is telling us that when we’re in battles with others, to keep our focus on Him, not them.

Like Isaiah 26:3-6 (NLT) says…
[3] You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! [4] Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock. [5] He humbles the proud and brings down the arrogant city. He brings it down to the dust. [6] The poor and oppressed trample it underfoot, and the needy walk all over it.

You see, God wants us to find peace in knowing and trusting that He will handle things for us.

I liken this to losing in a game, but knowing your star player, Michael Jordan, is on the way. You’re not worried because you know when he steps in, you will win. Ironically, you could still lose, but you don’t worry because you believe you have the greatest on your side. I believe that’s how God wants us to feel about Him.

That aligns with 1 John 4:4 (NLT), which encourages…
[4] But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

When you know that you have the God of Peace on your side, you never have to worry about anything.

This leads me to the next key take away from today’s scripture, which comes from verse 19. God wants us to…

• Keep being obedient to Him
• Keep doing right
• Keep remaining innocent

In other words, God is telling me to keep on living life His way.

I like the way the Psalmist says it in Psalms 17:1-7 (NLT)…
[1] O Lord, hear my plea for justice. Listen to my cry for help. Pay attention to my prayer, for it comes from honest lips. [2] Declare me innocent, for you see those who do right. [3] You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night. You have scrutinized me and found nothing wrong. I am determined not to sin in what I say. [4] I have followed your commands, which keep me from following cruel and evil people. [5] My steps have stayed on your path; I have not wavered from following you. [6] I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray. [7] Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways. By your mighty power you rescue those who seek refuge from their enemies.

Like the Psalmist, when we focus on being right in God’s eyes, we won’t worry about who’s treating us wrong in our’s.

Thus far the Holy Spirit has clarified today’s scripture in a very simplistic way to me. However, I still wanted more understanding on why Paul referred to Lord as the God of Peace. You see I know…

• God is Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts), who fights my battles.
• God is Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness) who will give me the victory.

But Paul said Jehovah Shalom (The Lord Is Peace), will fight, and win, my battle.

Perhaps God wants us to stand firm on, and in His peace in the midst of our battles.

Ephesians 6:15-18 (ERV) instructs…
[15] On your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong. [16] And also use the shield of faith with which you can stop all the burning arrows that come from the Evil One. [17] Accept God’s salvation as your helmet. And take the sword of the Spirit—that sword is the teaching of God. [18] Pray in the Spirit at all times. Pray with all kinds of prayers, and ask for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready. Never give up. Always pray for all of God’s people.

God wants us to focus on staying in peace with Him, rather than trying to fight battles in our strength to win.

Thus, the God of Peace, who is with us in the midst of our battles, says He will give us victory soon enough, because of our steadfastness to doing things His way.

That’s why Galatians 6:9-10 (NLT) encourages…
[9] So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. [10] Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

The Lord is emphasizing, keep focusing on Him, the God of Peace, and stop worrying about him, Satan, because victory belongs to Jesus!

This hit play on Todd Dulaney singing…

Who can stand against the Lord
No one can, No one will
Who can stand against the king
No one can, No one will

Ohhh, ohhh
Victory Belongs To Jesus
Victory belongs to Him

We put our trust in you
We put our hope in you

You will deliver, you’re a provider
I find my victory in you
Forever victorious, forever we win
I find my victory in you

Victory Belongs To Jesus
Victory belongs to Him

That blessed assurance should give you peace!

Remember, as my favorite lyric says…

He’s been my fourth man in the fire time after time.

Lastly, the Holy Spirit led me to Psalms 23:5-6 (NLT), which says…
[5] You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. [6] Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

Then He explained that the God of Peace prepares and provides my provision in the presence of my enemies.

This let’s us know that God won’t always move our mountain, but He will give us the strength to climb.

So today, stay focused on…

• doing things God’s way
• following His plan
• watching Him give you the victory.

Bonus thought: whenever it looks like you’re surrounded by enemies, remember that you’re securely surrounded by the God of Peace.

Today’s song is…
Surrounded (This Is How I Fight My Battles)

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)