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  ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THOSE BLINDSIDED BY THE DEVIL
  by David Wilkerson
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Summary: David Wilkerson offers encouragement to believers facing
spiritual attacks, emphasizing God's promise of deliverance and support
in times of struggle.

Topics: "Overcoming Spiritual Warfare", "God's Intervention"

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DESCRIPTION
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David Wilkerson delivers a powerful message from Isaiah 51, emphasizing
God's recognition of the struggles faced by believers who pursue
righteousness. He reassures those feeling blindsided by the devil that
their burdens are not a result of sin but rather a direct attack from
Satan. God calls out to the afflicted, promising to intervene and remove
the weight of fear and oppression. Wilkerson highlights that God is
actively pleading the cause of His people, offering hope and restoration
to those in bondage. This message serves as a reminder that God sees our
struggles and is ready to act on our behalf.

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CONTENT
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In Isaiah 51, the Lord delivers a powerful message to all who pursue
righteousness. He declares, "Listen to Me, you who follow after
righteousness, you who seek the Lord" (51:1). A few verses later, he
again calls to those "who know righteousness, you people in whose heart
is My law" (51:7). When Isaiah delivered this message, his immediate
audience was Israel, yet God directs this call to every devoted believer
today -- everyone who would pursue Jesus with a greater passion. Later
God addresses his hearers as "you afflicted, and drunk but not with
wine" (51:21).

At the time Isaiah prophesied, Israel was enslaved by Babylon and God
wanted his precious people to know he recognized their plight. Likewise,
today, he is addressing every Christian who has become captive to some
form of bondage. This bondage may be mental, physical or spiritual -- it
does not matter to God. His eye is on every saint who staggers under the
weight of an awful burden and he gives them this word:

"Do not think for a moment that this weight has come upon you as a
result of sin. On the contrary, you are under a direct attack from
Satan. The enemy of your soul has accused and tormented you and now,
like a person who is drunk on wine, you are woozy from the effect. You
have been blindsided by the devil but I want your ear because I have a
word to speak to you."

If you are enduring a dark night of the soul, weighed down by sinful
chains or sitting on an ash heap of perceived failure, God has a message
just for you: "See, I have taken out of your hand the cup of trembling
... But I will put it into the hand of those who afflict you"
(51:22-23).

The Lord is saying, "I am here to plead your cause, to intervene for
you. I will take from you the cup of fear that is plaguing your life and
place it in the hands of those who oppress you. I will not allow this
harassment to continue."

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/david-wilkerson/encouragement-for-those-blindsided-by-the-devil/
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