Do you struggle with the natural things of this world?
Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 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.
Ephesians 6:12-13 New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
How often do we forget that we, as Christians, are not in a physical war, but a spiritual war? We, as Christians, do not have to struggle with the natural things, the worldly garbage that tries to attack us daily. It is so easy to forget or even not believe that there is a spiritual world, a world that is even more real than our natural physical world around us. Our enemy is deceptively cunning, take away the urgency of a threat and the danger appears to be gone. But he’s there, always, just waiting to stick his foot back in the doorway and wedge his way into your life. But why do we always wait for him to raise his head and make the first strike before we take action? Why don’t we make preemptive strikes of our own before he has a chance to attack, keep him on the run! The Bible says he will flee in terror when he knows we are in Jesus and Jesus is in us. Rather than try to guess his plans and counter all of his moves, Paul reminds us to simply take up the tools God has given us and stand up to the evil one at ALL times. Put the power of prayer in the name of Jesus to work in our lives. Always, always, make sure you have on the full armor of God before you go out into the natural world around us. From the helmet of salvation to the shoes of the Gospel and everything in between. Never go into battle with only part of your armor. Never start your day without putting on your armor first! Spend time in prayer every morning before you do anything else – take the time it’s worth it.
MY PRAYER…
Lord of the Universe, my Great Deliverer, thank you for protecting me from the evil one through Your great power. Give me a sense of urgency as I face the evil one and his schemes on a daily basis, but also increase my knowledge of his plans, his ways, and his schemes, that I may know how to stand. You said in Your Word that You would reveal mysteries unto us. Father, increase my confidence that Jesus has already defeated my foe. Help me to stand against this foe and show myself faithful to You. By Your Holy Spirit You have given me the strength, confidence, and knowledge to stand before any foe. Through Jesus my Lord and Savior I pray.
Amen