Forward & Never In Retreat

Ephesians 6:10, 13 (NIV®)
Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. … 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.

I’m fascinated by the armor and weaponry God provides His people as we face the challenges of the world. In verses 14-17, Paul says we have access to the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of God’s Spirit, which is His Word. We can also stand our ground because our foundation is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Two other things about this passage stand out to me. First, Paul doesn’t say “if” the day of evil comes, but “when.” Evil is a fact of life and should not surprise us. Second, we are not given armor for our backs. God expects us to always be moving forward and never in retreat. It is easy to look around and be overwhelmed by the evil we see. But we are God’s army, and He has given us everything we need to stand our ground.

THINK ABOUT IT
As spiritual soldiers, we fight battles against evil. The strength of God’s Spirit helps us to stand.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, You are my refuge and strong tower. I rejoice in the safety of Your strength. Today, I choose to cooperate with the Holy Spirit, say no to ungodliness, and say yes to Your invitations. Create in me a pure heart, and grant me a willing spirit to stand and proclaim Your wonderful works. In Jesus' name, amen.