PRESERVED TO REIGN

On all accounts, in the midst of potential danger, being removed from the situation seems a reasonable approach. In the life of Jesus, we see this on a number of occasions – when Herod sought his life as an infant and when the people sought to throw him down the cliff.

Yet, in the priestly prayer of Jesus captured in John 17, we come across a situation that is directly opposite from what is described above. Aware of the danger the evil one poses, Jesus made a rather interesting prayer for his disciples:

"I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but that You keep them and protect them from the evil one (John 17:15).

This points to the reality that the intention of God was not to immediately remove us from the earth at the point of our salvation. That would equate to a clear separation from the danger posed by the evil one. Instead, the prayer contains an engracing that guarantees our preservation at all times.

The only reason you are still here is because there is equipping to triumph. Thus, regardless of what life throws at you, your assurance is that you have been preserved to reign. So walk in that consciousness.

#sly