Deputized!

The Sheriff is in town and you have been deputized!

Joshua 10:24-25 NIV
When they had brought these kings to Joshua, he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the army commanders who had come with him, "Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings." So they came forward and placed their feet on their necks. Joshua said to them, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the Lord will do to all the enemies you are going to fight."

Col 2:15 NIV
And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Lk 10:17-19
The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” NIV

There was a missionary who went to Africa to preach the Gospel. One day he was going to preach somewhere and he rode on his horse. When the horse got to a certain location, it stopped and refused to move. The man got off the horse and looked round to see what was there. He saw a big snake near a big stone and he was scared.

Having heard stories of dangerous snakes in Africa, he started to calculate what solution could help out. He decided to quietly move back to his horse and go back home, saying that he would apologize to the congregation for not coming. He then heard the Holy Spirit say he would have failed in his duty, if he did that. He summed up courage and picked stones and threw them at the snake. To his surprise, the snake did not move. He moved back and threw more; then he realized that it was already dead. This means he was occupied for about 30 minutes, by a dead, harmless snake.

We spend too much time concerned with the attacks of the devil when we have been given authority and power over him. Jesus wants us to walk in that victorious authority here on earth. It is part of His Kingdom being demonstrated on earth through us. We have been deputized-we are appointed by Jesus as His substitute with power to act!

Let’s act like it!