Do you feel like you’ve been beat up, lately, without anyone having thrown a single punch? I sure do. Oh, the joys of the 2020 COVID-19 global pandemic.
I find myself coming home from a full day’s work and just collapsing. I go to bed at 10 p.m. I sometimes take a nap before I go to bed! I’m wiped out.
As I sat here thinking of what wisdom I could share on this Wednesday, I knew it would have to be from a much higher source than me. I think I’m flat out of anything that sounds wise, so I’ll punt and let God speak, which actually shows I must have some wisdom…
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.*
I talked about the day of evil over three years ago in a post called Evil Days, and while it still holds true, because, boy do these days feel evil, I want to focus on the final portion of Paul’s words to the church in Ephesus.
After you’ve done everything — stand.
When I feel worn out, as if from battle, I know that I need to go back to passages and verses like this to gain renewed focus and purpose. If ever there was a time for Christians to stand our ground, it is today. I’m not talking about political stands or about whether or not to open churches. No, I’m talking about our need to stand firm in our faith.
Politics and fights about views are peripheral matters in relation to the spiritual battle Satan is waging for your soul. You don’t have to turn on the TV to know he’s attacking you.
- You might be sitting in your home, quarantined from others for days or weeks, and while you’re Bible is right by your side, you’ve ignored it.
- You’ve allowed fear to be your final thought at night before you close your eyes, instead of counting the blessings of the Lord and reading a psalm.
- You’ve let your prayer life fade and doubts to invade your mind. You question whether God’s in control at all.
- You’ve looked inward, allowing self to come first, rather than letting God work through you to encourage and help others in acts of service.
Paul tells us in the beginning of this passage to “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”* Have you forgotten that we serve the Almighty God? Is anything to hard for him?
Satan wants you to think that this crisis is out of God’s control.
If we refuse to stand strong in the Lord, then we’ve obviously neglected the armor he’s provided to protect us against Satan’s attacks. We will give in and fail to stand our ground.
So, what’s the choice we have? It’s easy: We can either give into the lies of the Evil One or stand strong in the Lord. As we face the attacks that are coming our way in the full body and mind armor of Christ, when all is said and done — when we’ve done everything we can, and Satan’s done everything he can…
We will stand!
Get up! Thankfully, we serve a God who understands when we fall, and maybe you’ve fallen in this battle, but it’s not over yet. Stand up, plant your feet firmly for the next round of attacks and STAND!
You’re serving the Lord Almighty!
Grace and Peace
*Ephesians 6:13 (NIV)
*Ephesians 6:10.