40 Days of Truth - 09
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of TRUTH
Day 9 | STANDING FIRM IN THIS EVIL DAY
40 Days of TRUTH
Day 9 | STANDING FIRM IN THIS EVIL DAY
STANDING FIRM IN THIS EVIL DAY
Ephesians 6:10-13
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”
I enjoy going to the mountains. I find it very relaxing and refreshing. Seeing the colors of the plants and flowers… Watching the antics of the squirrels and blue jays… Seeing the size, the grandeur, and the variety of the trees. My wife and I also enjoy hearing the wind as it whistles through the leaves and needles. We’ve also enjoyed looking at the giant redwoods in northern California. Standing tall, standing proud, standing firm.
One of the sad things to me, is when a tree comes down. I remember watching the eucalyptus trees be taken down in our back yard when I was a young boy. It actually upset me quite a bit.
So, what does all this have to do with our Scripture?
We – like the trees I’ve described – are to “STAND FIRM.”
But then one would ask: “How?” What is the formula for “standing firm” during the tough times, the difficult times, and the evil times – like these?
Our LORD to the rescue! He has provided “armor” for us to be able to STAND strong in the midst of the “schemes of the devil.”
Make no mistake, what we’re witnessing today in our world – the violence, the hatred, the destruction, the collapse of the rule of law, the economy and so on – has one main source. Verse 12 in the TPT version reads like this: “your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings but with the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms, for they are a powerful class of demon gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in bondage.”
So, since we’re ultimately fighting against evil spiritual forces, we need divine help.
Psalm 121:2 – “My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
In the Ephesians passage, the Spirit of God – through human author Paul – tells us: “Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious].” (Eph 6:13 - AMP)
So, my question: Do you want to stand or be defeated?
Make no mistake, we are living in a time of spiritual warfare like I’ve never seen in my lifetime. But our God loves us and has provided for us.
However, we still can choose to “take up the whole armor of God” … or not.
One choice leads to Standing Firm, the other, to capitulation and defeat.
Choose wisely.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for providing for just such times as these. Help me to SEE how to live, how to put on the armor of God and how to stand firm, for your honor and glory and for my benefit. Amen.
Ephesians 6:10-13
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”
I enjoy going to the mountains. I find it very relaxing and refreshing. Seeing the colors of the plants and flowers… Watching the antics of the squirrels and blue jays… Seeing the size, the grandeur, and the variety of the trees. My wife and I also enjoy hearing the wind as it whistles through the leaves and needles. We’ve also enjoyed looking at the giant redwoods in northern California. Standing tall, standing proud, standing firm.
One of the sad things to me, is when a tree comes down. I remember watching the eucalyptus trees be taken down in our back yard when I was a young boy. It actually upset me quite a bit.
So, what does all this have to do with our Scripture?
We – like the trees I’ve described – are to “STAND FIRM.”
But then one would ask: “How?” What is the formula for “standing firm” during the tough times, the difficult times, and the evil times – like these?
Our LORD to the rescue! He has provided “armor” for us to be able to STAND strong in the midst of the “schemes of the devil.”
Make no mistake, what we’re witnessing today in our world – the violence, the hatred, the destruction, the collapse of the rule of law, the economy and so on – has one main source. Verse 12 in the TPT version reads like this: “your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings but with the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms, for they are a powerful class of demon gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in bondage.”
So, since we’re ultimately fighting against evil spiritual forces, we need divine help.
Psalm 121:2 – “My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
In the Ephesians passage, the Spirit of God – through human author Paul – tells us: “Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious].” (Eph 6:13 - AMP)
So, my question: Do you want to stand or be defeated?
Make no mistake, we are living in a time of spiritual warfare like I’ve never seen in my lifetime. But our God loves us and has provided for us.
However, we still can choose to “take up the whole armor of God” … or not.
One choice leads to Standing Firm, the other, to capitulation and defeat.
Choose wisely.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for providing for just such times as these. Help me to SEE how to live, how to put on the armor of God and how to stand firm, for your honor and glory and for my benefit. Amen.
Posted in Truth