The Prevailing Spirit
Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.
(Psa 129:2)

As human history draws closer to the end, evil continues to escalate for the devil knows his time is running short (Rev 12:12). There are more and more things we need to prevail over, for example time and attention to family and the Lord; activities, programs and things can cause our priorities to change from the better. Many men struggle to prevail over anger and pornography. How can we claim to be more than conquerors if in actuality we can’t prevail? The devil is more subtle than we think and don’t want us to consider otherwise. Slowly we can be drawn away from our Source of eternal life, when we wake up to the blow of financial difficulties, loss of jobs, family breakdown, racial tension, betrayal, offences, wars, etc, it will be too late (Matt 24:6-10). There isn’t any Words of Eternal Life sufficiently grafted in to find that the Lord had planted our feet on a broad place to be delivered (Psa 18:19).

For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.
(Psa 143:3)

Church history tells us of the persecuted church because those who ‘live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution’ (2 Tim 3:12). How many will prevail as Stephen, one full of faith and the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5) to stand steadfast under false accusation with a countenance of an angel (Acts 6:15) and ready to die for the truth. It is interesting to note that Stephen was one of the seven chosen to take care of basic needs of widows. Most would want great faith and the power of the Holy Spirit to work wonders (which Stephen did perform) and built bigger ministries, yet would leave out the greater-menial task of servanthood. Perhaps we have gotten our priorities reversed these days and cost us the prevailing spirit. Another area we need to guard is the attacks upon our soul, seat of our emotions and will. It seems that the soul would be likely target because this is where we can lose our salvation (Heb 10:39).

And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
(Gen 32:28)

We need the same prevailing spirit as Jacob, the end is more than blessing but a God given new name (Rev 2:17, 3:12). This man was a survivor and God had to bring him to an end of himself to finally wrestle not with man but with God. Without coming to our wits end, we will continue to summon all of our human nature and strength to work out situations for ourselves. God is merciful and wants to bring many sons to glory (Heb 2:10) and to be called His prince, His son. Sons inherit and that the inheritance of the Kingdom of God.

That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: ………..
(Mat 5:45)

Jesus gave a clear condition to being Father’s children, a truth we have to seriously consider. The greatest prevailing we can do is over our enemies; those who curse, hate, despitefully use and persecute us. The intent is that we be ‘perfect’ or complete in Christ (Col 2:10) as the Father is complete in Himself, nothing found wanting. Jesus prayed for the good of the ones that hung Him on the cross that the Father would forgive them (Luke 23:34), do we pray for the good of our enemies? Stephen prayed the same prayer (Acts 7:60), only a man who is complete in Christ can utter such things.

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
(Rom 12:20-21)

We cannot usurp God’s right to judge our enemies to ‘heap coals of fire’ (Psa 11:6). The prevailing spirit has to be grounded in the love of God. It is good to grow in faith, but love is greater, for it keeps us unto the Coming of Jesus Christ.

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
(1Cor 13:13)
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
(Jud 1:20-21)