Standing in God's Strength

EPH 6:13 NIV

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

We are in a season of favour but do not for one second think that the devil will fold his hands and watch you prosper. He will definitely put up a fight. The verse before this one talks about our wrestle, not against flesh and blood, but against a range of levels of spiritual forces arrayed against us. God Did not call us to a quiet existence or to an easy, comfortable existence; everywhere the faith is mentioned, the picture is one that requires effort, struggle, fight and labour. The joy, however, is in the fact that we are not required to fight in our own power or by ourselves; God has given us appropriate weapons and he is backing us up to succeed.

There is an armour that God has made available for the war we are to fight. You can only fight well, end well and remain standing when you put on the full arkour, not just convenient parts. You don't pick and choose what you would wear; you wear all that God has provided for your safety, protection, success and victory.

Therein lies the greatest challenge- our reasoning and intellect,- God's distinguishing attribute in us, can be our greatest hinderance. We logically process things, reducing the battle for our souls and eternity to our level of reasoning, thinking we can defeat the devil with words, logic, reasoning or tact. He has been fighting this war since creation, and we need Someone who has defeated him before to teach us how to keep winning. If he says there are things we need in order to defeat the devil, then we can only win when we obey him and do as he has commanded.

As we go out today, put on the full armour of God. Every moment, whether sleeping or awake, is a battle. Eternity is at stake, the kingdom of God is advancing and the devil is scared. He's fighting hard for his territories and he will do anything to win. Do not rely on your strength or wisdom; rely on the grace that God has made available. He has promised that as we out on the full armour, we fight with his full backing, and we get full victory. Only then can we remain standing at the end of the battle. His time of favour has indeed come.

PRAYER- Lord, help me to fight the battles ahead of me in your strength and power. May I not rely on my own wisdom or resources, but on your all-conquering power. Amen