"Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication." - Ephesians 6:14-18
I remember Pastor Bob Barlow used to say, "Whenever you see the word 'therefore' in the Bible, you need to look back as see what it is 'there for'. As Christians how can we stand in the withering spiritual onslaught that we face today. Calls from our culture - even within the Church for us to make concessions and concede. In light of that I was thinking about what that therefore was there for. I want to share just a few reasons.
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23
God is faithful to His promises. What He says He will do, He WILL do!
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
No matter how alone you feel in this culture, God has not and will not abandon you. He is the source of our strength. Jay Kesler wrote a book in the '70s called the Strong Weak People. That would be us! In our weakness we find spiritual strength.
"But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31
Do you feel like falling out of the race at times? I can remember running in the Army, in formation, with boots on. I was so tired - gasping for air - but I pressed on. I think hat is the idea expressed in Isaiah. But our strength is renewed supernaturally not through self will or determination.
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." Isaiah 43:2
It is a matter of perspective - focus. God is in control. He's got us - no matter what we face. Really, no matter what earthly trouble comes our way. He will be with us.
"He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:24
I remember the words in Haitian Creole - "Bondye kapab fe sa" God can do it. It does not matter where you are on the planet - truth is truth - God is God.
"God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?" Numbers 23:19
There is only One who is totally trustworthy. Jehovah God. Like the fiery furnace - you may have to go through it but there will be a fourth man walking with you - that would be Jesus. (Daniel 3:25)
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm." - Ephesians 6:10-13
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