“Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord even the demons are subject to us in your name. And He said to them, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven. Behold, I give you authority to trample serpents and scorpions, and over the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:17-19 (NKJ)
Our daughter Jennifer had just gotten a summer internship in Hollywood, CA. She needed her car for commuting, so we decided to drive cross-country from our home in Virginia to California. We had never had a problem with her car until this venture. The car struggled, breaking down every time we slowed the engine. The air-conditioner broke on the first day and the temperatures in Arizona and New Mexico were averaging 115. Steam escaped from under the hood every time we stopped. We prayed the whole trip. By the time, we rolled into Hollywood we were completely wiped out.
Neither Jennifer nor myself had ever been to Hollywood or knew anyone there so we used the Internet to book our hotel. We were so proud of ourselves that we had made it across the country on less than $300. That was including gas, food and hotel. Well, once we drove onto the hotel property we knew instantly why it was so cheap. Cheap is not always smart.
Exhausted we threw our luggage down and plopped onto the beds. Bone tired we couldn’t decide if we had the strength to take showers, but we did. The tub had a leak and all the water flooded out of the tub and into the next room. The attendant at the desk was so scary we didn’t want to call to report the flood.
We read our Bible, prayed and went to sleep. Within just a few minutes we were both instantly awaken and simultaneously sat straight up in bed. Strong fear had gripped both of us. We shared with each other what we had experienced right before we were awoken and knew instantly what we needed to do. Out loud we commanded anything evil to leave our room in the name of Jesus Christ never to return to us. We knew from the Bible that we had all authority over anything evil.
The next morning we left that scummy slithering place and 10 miles down the road the car broke down! We called for a tow truck and a rental car. My flight home was scheduled for the next day. It was so hard from a mother’s heart to leave after all of this. Jennifer knowing my thoughts said, “You and God have taught me that I truly do have power over the enemy. What Satan plans for harm God uses for good. I know you are concerned, but I am thankful for what God has allowed us to witness on this trip and in times past and it is in that, that I have all confidence in the power of Jesus and His name. I’m going to be fine, Mom.”
I left Hollywood knowing that Jennifer would experience more challenging days, but that she knew the plan of escape from the enemy’s plots to bring her down. She knew that in Jesus’ Name, she had authority, and in that she has joy and freedom.
Lord, we come to You with joy and thankfulness that You give us authority inYour Name to conquer our enemy. Help us to never forget that in our hours of battle.In Jesus’ Name Amen.
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