November 30

Morning

Amaziah asked the man of God, “What should I do about the hundred talents I have given to the army of Israel?” And the man of God replied, “The LORD is able to give you much more than this.” — 2 Chr 25:9 BSB

This question was of great concern to Amaziah, the king of Judah, and it may weigh even more heavily on the hearts of tried and tempted Christians today. Losing money is never pleasant, and when standing on principle costs us financially, the flesh may resist the sacrifice. Thoughts like “Why should I lose what could be so useful?” or “Is it worth it to hold to the truth at such a price?” often tempt believers. Concerns for family, income, and the future can make compromise seem tempting.

Not everyone can view such matters through the lens of faith, and even Jesus’ followers may sometimes feel the weight of the world’s argument that “We must live!” But God’s Word gives a clear and comforting answer: “The Lord is able to give you much more than this!” This is a satisfactory response to any anxious question about loss. Our Father holds all the resources in the universe, and what we lose for His sake, He can more than repay. Our task is to obey His will, and we can rest in the assurance that He will provide for us. God will not be in anyone’s debt. The saints know that the peace of a good conscience is worth more than a fortune in gold. A person who wraps a threadbare coat around a clear conscience has gained spiritual wealth far more valuable than anything they’ve lost. God’s smile in a dungeon is worth more than His frown in a palace.

No matter how bad things seem, even if we lose everything, we have not lost our true treasure—it is safely kept in heaven, where Christ sits at the right hand of God. In the meantime, even now, the Lord gives His people the earth as their inheritance, and He withholds no good thing from those who walk uprightly.

Evening

Then a war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. — Rev 12:7 BSB

War will always rage between the two great kingdoms—until one or the other is completely vanquished. Peace between good and evil is impossible; the very thought of it would mean the victory of darkness. Michael, the archangel, will always fight against evil; his holy soul is vexed by sin and cannot tolerate it. Jesus, too, will forever be the dragon’s enemy, not passively but actively, vigorously, with the full intent of eradicating evil.

All His servants, whether angels in heaven or messengers on earth, are born to be warriors. At the cross, they enter into a covenant never to make peace with sin. They are a militant company, strong in defense and fierce in attack. It is the duty of every soldier in the Lord’s army to fight daily, with all their heart, soul, and strength, against the dragon. The devil and his followers will never shrink from the battle. They are relentless in their attacks, using every weapon at their disposal.

We are naive if we expect to serve God without opposition. The more zealous we are for His cause, the more certain we are to face the onslaught of hell. The Church may grow complacent, but her enemy does not. Satan’s restless hatred of the Church never ceases; he despises the offspring of the woman and would devour the Church if he could. The servants of Satan, much like their master, are full of energy and activity.

The war is all around us, and dreaming of peace is both dangerous and foolish. But glory be to God, we know how the war ends. The great dragon will be cast down and destroyed forever, while Jesus and His followers will receive the crown of victory. Let us sharpen our swords tonight and ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen our arms for the battle. There has never been a conflict more important or a crown more glorious. Every soldier to his post, O warriors of the cross, and may the Lord soon crush Satan under your feet!