Scattered: Cleanse the TempleSample

DIVINE ADVANTAGE

One biblical character who epitomizes divine advantage is Daniel. Daniel had a divine advantage, not because he studied more or was more skilled, but because he lived a life of purity. His love and reverence for God shaped his life. God has not run out of the anointing that distinguished Daniel’s life, He’s looking for those who will honor Him and keep His standards, qualifying them to be carriers of His anointing. Daniel’s distinction did not come from striving to be excellent. Rather, God delighted in filling Daniel with His Spirit, empowering him to be excellent in all that he did. This is what divine advantage is all about. When God, who is undefeated and undefeatable, lives in and works through us, we have divine advantage.

The fight is fixed! Remember Jesus’ encouragement to his disciples in John 16:33; “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Even though your enemy is fully aware that Christ has won the victory, trust that the enemy isn’t going down without a fight. Sometimes, in the heat of the moment, it feels like we can never overcome or escape the temptation we face. Two minutes of temptation can feel like two hours. This is when we must remember that although we live in bodies, we are spiritual beings, and to walk in the understanding of the victory we have, we must resist the devil’s attempt to blind us from the truth.

To operate in divine advantage, we must renew our minds. What makes sense in the world of the spirit will not make sense in the world of the flesh. We must learn to see the realities of God’s promises, even when our surroundings suggest the opposite. Although it seems like you must give in to your physical urges, believe that God always provides a way out and empowers you to escape when temptation arises.

Pray that the Lord would empower you to choose His will and His pleasure daily. Pray that God would not lead you into temptation but would deliver you from every evil. Pray that you would be so addicted to God and His Word, that you would hurry to find and use every escape route He provides to free you from temptation. Pray for a longing to pray and to commune constantly with God.