6/12/2018
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His
might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm
against the schemes of the devil" (Ephesians
6:10-11).
We are called, every day, to the battle stations of life, because our enemy, Satan, never ceases his attack! He is always on the attack; and if he should happen to notice that someone is struggling and hurting, without even the slightest hesitation, he moves in for the kill! He is diabolical in the ultimate sense of the word; and it's for that reason that we must always be on the ALERT (I Peter 5:8)! Fighting a spiritual war involves painstaking preparations and this calls for some heavy duty armor and preparation.
First, because we are fighting in the Lord's army (2 Timothy 2:3). We must be "strong in the Lord" or probably "be strengthened in the Lord." The devil is too strong for us. We cannot gain the victory over him in our own strength. It's only through wearing the armor of God that we can win this spiritual battle. This is illustrated in the life of David. David and his men were away from home and when they returned they found their city burned and their wives, children, and possessions taken captive by the Amalekites. While they were mourning their losses David's men became so embittered that they began talking about stoning him. A very important thing happened at this point in the story. "Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God" (I Samuel 30:6). The Lord graciously directed David to pursue the raiders and recover their families and goods.
This same strength is available to every Christian. Read what
the apostle Paul wrote: "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened,
so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of
the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing
greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the
working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He
raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly
places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name
that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come." (Ephesians 1:18-21). You may be discouraged and you may think that
God is not listening to your prayers. God will always give us strength when we
ask. "be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might."
(Ephesians 6:10).
While Satan may seem to be all powerful he isn't because he is only a created being, whereas God is the eternal, almighty Creator of all things. From Genesis to Revelation God is presented to us as the One in control of everything. This is important to us because the all-powerful God has provided us with the armor we need to help us in this war and this enables us to say with Paul, "For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me" (Colossians 1:29)
I'M IN THE LORD'S ARMY
I may never march in the infantry
Ride in the cavalry
Shoot the artillery
I may never fly o'er the enemy
But I'm in the Lord's army!
Yes Sir!
I'm in the Lord's army!
Yes sir!
I'm in the Lord's army!
Yes sir!
I may never march in the infantry
Ride in the cavalry
Shoot the artillery
I may never fly o'er the enemy
But I'm in the Lord's army!
Yes sir!