Reading: Ephesians
6:10-11
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put
on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles
of the devil.”
Have you ever resisted valid common sense advice from a trusted
friend? Why? Perhaps because we don’t want to seem vulnerable? I know I have,
and then later wondered why—especially when I knew they were being both
accurate and caring.
Maybe it is difficult to admit our weaknesses and acknowledge that
there are ‘wiles’ that lead us into bad decisions with negative
consequences. Or into outright
blatant sin.
Then, when we try to manufacture our own self-protection and fail, we
become disappointed in God. Yet He alone knows all the details all the time. He
is the only one that can identify the battle we are up against. And His armor
is the only solid protection.
Because often the battle is not just what we are facing outwardly but
goes even deeper into our heart and soul.
When Jesus was weak with hunger and isolation the devil offered Him
wealth and power and prestige. (Luke 4) But with each temptation lured before
Him, Jesus stood on scripture and God’s character to respond. “It is
written…serve only him…do not…were His armor for that particular battle.
And God extends His armor to us as well, so that we never need to be
alone or without His strength to enable us to stand.
Lord, you have given each of us Your means to stand firm in You alone.
May we accept all Your gifts of armor and not just pick and choose in our
limited understanding.
Psalm of Worship: Isaiah 55:5
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“See, you shall call the nations that you do not know, and nations
that do not know you shall run to you. Because of the Lord your God, the Holy
One of Israel, for he has glorified you.”
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