The trap is now set for the evil tyrants. But before anything further happens, Elijah is told to seek out his replacement; Elisha the son of Shaphat. This is the Thirty Eighth Sermon in the series The Kingdom Divided; and exposition on First Book of the Kings.

The sermon exhorts believers to maintain spiritual vigilance against the devil, who actively seeks to destroy their faith through temptation, accusation, and suffering. Drawing from 1 Peter 5:8-11, it emphasizes the necessity of being sober-minded and watchful to recognize the personal nature of this spiritual warfare. The message outlines how the adversary operates by exploiting pride and doubt, urging Christians to resist him by submitting to God and standing firm in the gospel. It reassures believers that they are not alone in their struggles, as all Christians face similar trials, but they can endure because Christ has already secured victory over evil. Ultimately, the passage calls for a steadfast reliance on God's grace and eternal calling, which provides the strength and hope needed to overcome spiritual attacks.

Every day gives us a new reason to praise the Lord. This week, Pastor Ric continues our Summer in Psalms series with a message from Psalm 149 titled, "A New Song." Psalm 149 reminds us that God's mercy is new every morning and that our response to His goodness should be joyful, wholehearted worship. As our Creator, Savior, and King, He delights in His people and is worthy of our praise in every season of life. Through worship and the truth of God's Word, we also discover the strength to stand firm in the spiritual battles we face each day. Join us as we explore the power of joyful praise, the victory found in God's Word, and the invitation to live each day with grateful hearts, singing a new song to the Lord.

Joshua 10:12-14 (KJV) Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. 13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. 14 And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel.

The sermon explores the doctrine of divine providence through the distribution of land to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh in Joshua 16-17. It emphasizes God's absolute freedom to govern human circumstances contrary to human expectations, illustrated by the reversal of birthright blessings. The text highlights the vital role of prayer in engaging with God's sovereign will, using the example of Zelophehad's daughters who petitioned for their inheritance. Furthermore, it stresses personal responsibility, noting that while God ordains outcomes, believers must actively obey His commands and fight spiritual battles rather than remaining passive. Ultimately, the message calls listeners to trust God's wisdom while diligently pursuing holiness and obedience in their daily lives.

Last week we spent our time pondering this question concerning Barak in Judges 4: Was Barak a coward? Or was something deeper happening? And we discovered that Hebrews 11… lists Barak among the heroes of faith. So rather than seeing a man who rejected God… what we really saw… was a man whose faith… still needed encouragement. We also talked about Deborah… and how she responded to Barak. If you'll remember we said: • She did not mock him. • She did not shame him. • She strengthened him. • She gladly went with him. And we ended with this thought: God is incredibly patient with growing faith. He is not looking for perfect people. He is looking for surrendered people. And that brings us to our message tonight. And we'll re-read Deborah's response to kick thing off.

The sermon examines Exodus 1 to illustrate the ongoing spiritual battle between God's people and Satan, who seeks to destroy the promised seed through oppression and sin. It highlights how Pharaoh's genocidal policies failed because God remained sovereign, using the midwives' fear of Him to preserve Israel despite human evil. The preacher connects this historical narrative to the broader biblical theme of Satan attacking the lineage of Christ, from Cain to Herod, emphasizing that God's purposes cannot be thwarted by worldly powers. Believers are encouraged to resist cultural and spiritual attacks by fearing God above all else, trusting in His ultimate victory over the dragon who wages war against the faithful. The message concludes with a call to stand firm in spiritual armor, assured of Christ's triumph even amidst tribulation.

1. Proceeds from sovereign grace. 2. Predicts a relentless battle. 3. Proclaims a wonderful deliverance.