God has been working (in me and with me) to help me understand some of His truths. Satan can’t rob a Christian of their salvation, but the enemy wants us to be hopeless, defeated, and ineffective in God’s kingdom. God gives us freedom, and with God’s help we can take back what the enemy has stolen from us.

The Israelites had a choice in taking possession of the land God had given them, “How long will you delay going out to take possession of the land the Lord… gave you?” (Joshua 18:3)

I realized I also have choices.

Several months ago, I had a very troubling dream. Although half of the dream was positive for our son, for me I was literally left in the dark. I couldn’t see the future, couldn’t see anything. I was sitting in blackness. I had another negative dream, and when I prayed, I sensed the Lord telling me I didn’t have to stay there.

Oh.

I didn’t have to sit and stew and analyze, and I didn’t have to stay in the bad situation where the dream had left me. I could just walk out. I could visualize the dream ending in a different manner. Wow, how cool is that!

Unfortunately, I walked out of one dream but still sat in the darkness in the other. Why, I don’t know. Sigh…

When I talked about the situation with a friend God’s truth became clear. There is no darkness in God. Jesus is the light of the world and Jesus lives in me so I always have the light of Christ. His Word is a lamp to my feet and light for my path. I didn’t have to sit in darkness! I ripped back the curtain on that dream and stepped into the light.

What the enemy had stolen, I took back!

Then the other day my computer started scrolling through beautiful outdoor pictures of a previous place where we had lived. Unfortunately, they reminded me of a negative situation, and I turned away. In the quiet of my soul I felt a gentle reminder the Lord had made the beauty of that place for me to enjoy.

In turning away, I was turning away from His blessing. In response, I once again enjoyed my photos. I took back what the enemy had stolen from me.

When the wives and children of David and his army were captured, David and his forces went and took them back by force (see 1 Samuel 30).

Take it back! With God’s power, take back what the enemy has stolen from you. Take back your joy. Take back the good memories. Turn the bad dreams into a good ending. We have been given (gifted) this life, but we must take possession. Drive out the enemy. No enemy, no stronghold, is too big for God. Drive out fear, worry, greed, lust, unforgiveness, idolatry… with the truth of God’s Word and who you are in Christ.

What the enemy has stolen, go through Christ and take it back! Take back your past. Give it to God and let Him take it back. Let His Grace and love wash it away and let Him take away the ugly and replace it with His restoration.

Don’t make the temporary, the permanent. Stop the blame game and walk in God’s freedom. God is bigger than your pain, your past, your sin, your shame, anything you’ve been through.

It is freedom Christ set you free. Wherever there is darkness, let the light of Christ shine and take back what the enemy has stolen.

Freedom isn’t just for the strong or a certain type person, freedom is for anyone who is in Christ Jesus. He is freedom. Whatever is hindering you from walking free in the Lord, take it back with God’s truth!

“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.” ~ Isaiah 9:2 (NASB)

“For You light my lamp; The Lord my God illumines my darkness.” ~ Psalm 18:28 (NASB)

“With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.” ~ Romans 8:1-2 (MSG)

“If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will lay hold of me. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, and the light around me will be night, even the darkness is not dark to You, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You. For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.” ~ Psalm 139:9-14 (NASB)

(Emphasis added on scripture).

From, The Unnamed Devotional by Lisa Buffaloe, https://amzn.to/2H6hztH

Photo by Lisa Buffaloe