You, Jesus, declared in John 15:9, "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.”

In verse 11 you continue, “.... I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete".

[You are not only the One who loves us but the one who desires to share your joy with us and out of that love and joy your power flows into our lives. You are my strength--I have so little; in fact, practically speaking, no strength of my own, especially in comparison to that of our enemy, Satan, who is much stronger than I am. So I need your power to stand against the wiles of the devil.

As it says in Revelation 12:17, “Then [Satan] the dragon was enraged…and went off to wage war against…those who keep God's commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.”

The accuser gives no quarter, and I cannot possibly defend myself against him—but you, O Lord God, are my defender, my salvation and protector.

Later in Psalm 18 David declares that the LORD “reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support” (Psa. 18:16-18).

Praise be to you, Lord God, that your power is made perfect in the poverty of our personal weakness. Our lack of strength is your opportunity to bring salvation to us, to display your great power in your love by providing, protecting and prolonging our lives in the midst of attacks by the enemy who is too powerful for us. Glory be to your name!

May I live in your love and under your protection today by keeping on your armor and offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving for whatever comes, trusting you, honoring you and seeing the salvation of the Lord.]