Swooping Birds And Harassing Spirits

Each year, spring time is quite hazardous in many parts of Australia. Some birds become very protective of their territories during the nesting season.

Normally placid and tame birds start to swoop pedestrians and cyclists whom they consider to be a threat. The worst among these are the Australian magpie and the plover. While they are mostly harmless, seeking to intimidate rather than injure, some individuals do make contact with people’s heads and faces.

Over recent weeks, I have been praying for the covering of the blood of Jesus when I enter a known hot spot. If a bird swoops, I command it to leave in the name of Jesus. Amazingly most of them do.

Recently I was swooped by a pair of crows, which I have never experienced before. Indignantly I told them to go and they immediately left me alone.

These are not all natural events. Some of them, if not all, are actually evil spirits that are sent specifically to harass, intimidate and distract us, even to reduce us to fear.

We might even consider them to be a sign of other events that satan is using to pull us down. If we are being attacked in a physical way, it is probably a sign that we are under spiritual attack in other areas. Sure enough there are many people in our church who are being intimidated and harassed by the enemy in various parts of their lives.

W don’t have to allow this to continue. We have been given authority over the devil and all evil spirits. Whatever realm in your live is under attack right now, surrender it to the Lord. Ask Him to cover it with the blood of Jesus and command those intimidating spirits to go in Jesus’ name.

Reflection on 2 Corinthians 1:15-24

Scripture

For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes”. Through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “yes”) ascends for his glory.

Observation

Paul planned to give the Corinthians a double blessing by visiting them on his way to Macedonia and again on his way back.

Paul did not change his plans because made his plans carelessly or because he is like the people of the world who say “Yes” when they mean “No”. Paul’s word does not waver between yes and no. Christ is God’s ultimate “Yes” to us, and this is who Paul preaches and serves.

All of God’s promises are fulfilled with “Yes” in Christ. When we say“Amen” to Christ, it rises to God for His glory.

God enables us to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us and has given us the Holy Spirit as a deposit.

Application

All of God’s promises are “Yes” in Christ.

Paul makes the point here that God does not waver between “Yes”and “No” in terms of His promises. When Jesus died on the cross, that was the ultimate sign of His commitment to us. Having given His all to us, He is not going to back off now, or alternate between opinions about us and our worthiness to receive His promises.

In Christ, all of God’s promises are“Yes”. He invites us to reach out in faith and take hold of His promises to us. These are promises to save us, to heal us, to provide what we need, and more.

God has even given us the Holy Spirit in us as a sign of His trustworthiness. The Holy Spirit is a deposit, a down payment that guarantees the payment of the full amount.

If you are born again, you the Holy Spirit. If you have the Holy Spirit, you have the sign that every promise of God will be released to you.

This is not an automatic process like a vending machine. It is based on a relationship as we walk with God each day.

Prayer

Lord, all of your promises are “Yes” in Christ. Thank you so much for this assurance. Help me to walk confidently and faithfully with you each day. Amen.