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Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground – Genesis 1:28

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God’s plan for man since day one was to rule. And it hasn’t changed since. We all have the need and desire to rule and reign. Unfortunately we don’t exercise our God given authority in the right way. People either give up too early and pass their right to someone else, or they go to the other extreme – trying to take someone else place through deceit and sometimes violence.

Jacob took Esau’s birthright and blessing. God told Rebecca that there were two nations in her womb. Jacob and Esau were more than brothers – they were the seeds of nations. What was once an individual and family matter turned into international conflict. Our ancestors have been in constant war. History is a huge battlefield and we are sometimes caught in the middle. We are trapped in conflicts in our families, our nations, our jobs, etc. The list goes on.

In the new testament, however, we wrestle not against flesh and blood. We are called to rule over the old nature, to pull down strongholds and vain imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. The battlefield has shifted from the physical territory to the realm of the mind, where we meet demonic principalities, powers and rulers, and we are called to subdue and conquer them. It takes time to develop the right attitude in this new war zone and patience helps us built the right skills to rule and to reign.

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Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I thank you for the fruit of patience. I don’t want to rush something that will last forever. In Jesus Christ’s name, amen. Thank you, Holy Spirit.

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