SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 6
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Therefore put on the full armour 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 6:13] Lord, this passage reminds me that I am in a battle zone, and that I am foolish to think I can get through each day without You and Your armour. Do I see the battle that is raging in me and around me? Do I feel that I am at risk? Am I aware of the devil’s schemes [2 Corinthians 2:11]? So where am I under attack right now?
Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man. [Luke 21:36] Lord, You warned Your disciples repeatedly to be on their guard, to watch and pray. You knew that their spirits were willing but that their flesh was weak [Matthew 26:41]; You know that this is true for me too.
The battle zone is everywhere. The opening verses talk about home and work relations, and certainly the devil uses dysfunctional home and work situations to bring us down. The devil is constantly provoking us to respond to evil with evil. He is pushing us over the edge. He uses everything: politics, Christmas, technology, holidays, food, internet, magazine covers, TV commercials, etc.
Watch and pray. Lord, You are not just talking about hand-folding, eyes-closed, kneeling prayer (though this can be helpful too). You are talking about the ongoing conversation we have with You in our hearts by Your Spirit. When You whisper Your encouragement, Your warning, Your nudging, etc., in our moment by moment experiences. Paying attention, seeing the spiritual depth of every situation. Nothing is unspiritual, You (and the devil) are present and active in every situation. Our part is to lean towards You, to look for You, and to offer what we do to You.
Paul appeals for prayer. I need the same. I need to pray, and to be prayed for. We all do. It’s a battle zone. But with the Lord, armed with His grace and truth and power, we shall stand, we shall overcome!
PRAYER:
Lord, I have decided to follow You everyday. Help me to stay focussed on You, but also to be aware of how the enemy is scheming against me.
Obey. Live and do this is what the Master says. Obey your parents. Obey your masters. Parents, raise them in the fear of the Lord. Masters, treat the slaves as you are serving the Lord. Wholehearted service for children, parents, slaves, masters, all of God’s people. Live in wholehearted service to Him. Live and do that.
And He will equip you for that service. I need to dress myself with the armour of God each day. As I thank Him for each new day, and also say – TodayGodIsFirst – I must clothe myself with His armour prayerfully so I am always prepared to give an answer as to what I believe. In my prayerwalking throughout the day, He has given all that I need if I but trust and obey and work/play throughout the day in His presence. Thank You for Your Encourager along the way. And with the upward look I am able to give wholehearted service. Just do it.
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Refrain
Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
Refrain
But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Refrain
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.