11/10/2025
WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL
Life in the Combat Zone
In the Book of Psalms, there came a moment in David’s life when he declared, “When I am afraid, I will trust in You.” What the Holy Spirit revealed to me first was this: feeling fear does not mean I have failed in faith, and it does not mean I am condemned. Fear is a human response. The spiritual response is what matters next. Even in moments when my heart trembles, I must turn my trust toward the Lord.
But being who I am, with a questioning and curious heart, I asked God, “Lord, You are loving. You are my provider. So why does life feel so hard at times?”
And He answered: “Melvin, it is because you are living life in the combat zone.”
Then He directed my eyes to the writings of the prophet Isaiah. Satan desired to ascend, to set his throne in heaven, but he failed forever. Yet here is what the Lord reminded me:
“You, Melvin, are seated with Me in heavenly places. You have been given My divine nature. You have authority to cast out demons. You tread upon serpents. Everything the enemy longed for and lost, My people now possess through Christ. And because of that, the enemy is eternally jealous of you.”
Because you are everything the devil desires to be.
And in that revelation, peace rose within me. God has already written protection over my life:
“Touch not my anointed, and do My prophets no harm.”
But notice what He never promised. He never said we would never face irritation, frustration, resistance, or spiritual hindrances. A combat zone has conflict. It has pressure. It has moments where we must stand firm.
That is why Scripture urges us: Trust in the Lord with all your heart; lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
God directs the path, but walking that path requires faith sometimes a different level of faith than what we are used to. I said, “Lord, what kind of faith?” And He responded, “Two, three, four faith.”
So I went to Psalm 23:4.
There are seasons where we walk through dark places, where vision feels cloudy and understanding is limited. There are moments we simply do not see what God is doing. Yet Paul reminds us, We walk by faith, not by sight.
So even when we find ourselves walking through the valley of the shadow of death, we do not fear evil, because we know one unshakable truth:
God is with us.
Life in the combat zone is not easy, but it is victorious. Fear may come, but trust rises greater. Shadows may fall, but the Shepherd walks beside us. And even in the battle, His rod and staff bring comfort, protection, and guidance.
Stand firm. Trust deeply. Walk by faith.
He is with you in the combat zone.
