Ephesians 6:13 NIV
[13] 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.
Over the past few days, we have been looking at the demands of these times we are in, and what God expects from those who belong to Him. You cannot speak about armour if there is no war to fight. You cannot be focused on proper kitting for a soldier if there was not the spectre of battle. The fact that I am on this side of earth means that I have been called into a battle, and the One who calls will not leave me to my own devises. He has made adequate provision for my protection, as well as for my application to life. He has told me the terms that govern my earthly stay, as well as the proper requirements for my eternal reality. What He demands from me is the right reaction, which is to take on all that He has provided. Of what use is the provision of the full armor if I will not take it on?
There is a reason why the advice is to take on the full armor of God. It is dangerous to take on less than God's full amour, as we can see from the parts that are provided, and the parts that they protect. Check out a fully kitted soldier and it is difficult to find a vulnerable area to penetrative, unless the soldier himself takes off a part or unduly exposes himself. As it is in the physical, so is it in the spiritual. God who sees ahead knows what is required as adequate protection, and He has done His part. What is required is for me to put it on, not to admire it from afar, or to speak about its beauty and features. It only works the right way when I put it on the right way. Ahead of the days of trouble, which will surely come, I am enjoined to put on that which will keep me safe from trouble, and ensure that I am able to stand at the end of the battle.
It is not IF, but WHEN the day of evil comes. Do not believe the lies of the devil that being a Christian makes you immune to trials and tough times. Evil will come, but there is a provision against its impact. I am given grace to stand up under the pressure, and to live in victory over the schemes of the devil. I will not be able to resist the devil by my own effort or schemes, because he has been fighting dirty since he lost his place in heaven. Even from the Garden of Eden where man lost his security, God made a fresh provision for his restoration. God wants me to stand, and to remain standing in Him to the end. All that is needed to help me stand, and remain standing, is in Him. I will not succeed outside of Him, or without His help. He has done His part; how do you respond? God's time of favour is here.
No comments:
Post a Comment