by David Brenneman
In spite of the raging Spiritual weather of late, yesterday hit pretty hard. Yet solid proof that I wasn't going through it alone came in the form of the prayers of others and a repeating line or two from the song "Always" by Chris Tomlin.
"I will tell of Your wonders, sing of Your grace
The God of creation knows me by name
The Lord is faithful
Yesterday, now and always, always
Your mercy is mighty, age after age
And all generations will bow down and praise
The Lord is faithful
Yesterday, now and always, always"
I know Satan's schemes enough to know that he only tries to turn up the heat when God's doing something significant or is about to keep His Word through answered prayer.
God's Word says "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21.
This is a perfect match to Proverbs 3:5-8 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones."
The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.
Ephesians 6:17 "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
Something probably significant to note is the absence of a scabbard. That part of a Roman soldier's outfit to put the sword into when he wasn't using it.
There is no time of inactive use for the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.
We need reminders daily as I was given yesterday, throughout my day. There's something that's said of swordsman in that they can make a sword "sing". The way it is manipulated and as it comes in contact with whatever is being fought against. The speed of it even cutting the air sometimes.
If it weren't for those Godly reminders yesterday I probably would have not made it to the other end of the day at work.
Life in Christ isn't a leisure trip. We were promised ahead of time that it wasn't going to be. It's a battle that was already won on the cross...but is playing out in the lives of Believers everywhere.
If you aren't experiencing much, be thankful and get ready. Sooner or later every Believer who is living life as God intended will face trials and temptations, rough times and tribulations. Any exercises to a physical body garners pain in the muscles and joints. Same goes for Spiritual exercises. It's going to strengthen and stretch us as we grow in respect to salvation. As we grow in Christ.
God is always faithful. That was such a powerful reminder yesterday. He promised never to leave me nor forsake me...and He was with me in song to my heart.
We're in training and it's not just for a triathlon. It's for combat.
Satan isn't playing for scraps or for coinage. Jesus said he is a liar and the father of lies. The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, is all about truth. The Sword of the Spirit counters every single thing that Satan said or will say or do.
We're to have the Sword up in readiness. As fencing matches start out with "On guard!" so must we be with the Sword of the Spirit.
The Shield of faith works hand in hand with the Sword of the Spirit. "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." Hebrews 11:6.
Swing the Sword as intended and block the blows, the artillery, of the attack.
Many in this world have a Bible, many read it, but if you don't have faith, it's like a dictionary on a shelf, a cookbook, a car repair manual. Nothing more than words on a page.
Paul said in Romans that the Word of God transforms. It's that process of turning into a soldier of Christ Jesus. Going from that skinny armed sheephearder to the one chosen to take down a giant because of the practice battles learned beforehand.
God always prepares those in Christ Jesus for battles ahead when their hearts and minds are set on Him. A trainee in boot camp learns the best when the person is setting their minds on the drill instructor.
We aren't getting out of this world alive. Everyone goes the way of the Earth. When we who are in Christ Jesus face Him, will we be ashamed or excited? Will we be like Paul, exclaiming before we've left that we've what? Fought the good fight. What? Kept the faith.
Satan does not want you to keep the faith.
Satan does not want you holding up the shield of faith nor having the sword of the Spirit in the ready stance. There is no scabbard for it because we're never to put it away until we're in Heaven.
"Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You." Psalms 119:11.
The Helmet of salvation protects your mind. The breastplate of righteousness protects your heart. The gear of a Believer is the gear of a soldier.
I know not what battles that you face or what I will face. But God's Word has faced everything. No temptation has what?
"No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13.
A description of the battle.
Seek Godly reminders. In songs, hymns and spiritual songs. Seek Godly reminders in the Word of God. Outward verbal attacks do little in battle. It's the use of the weapon that has the desired impact.
Pray always the Bible says. Leaving the lines of communication open to our Savior turns the tide.
I might get knocked down a time or two, but in Christ I can pray while I am down there. Fervent prayer scares Satan. The Bible says that the fervent prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
Learn how to use this whole armor of God that is yours to wear. It comes in all sizes for all those who are in Christ Jesus. It's just your size for you. But you must take off the clothes of the world and put on yours. No soldier in active duty is wearing his or her civilian clothes under their uniform for battle. They could never maneuver in such a setting.
As I go into each day, I pray. As I go through the day, I pray. Spiritual breathing is praying. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.
Pray on, pray over, pray through. Learn that Sword of the Spirit, hold onto that shield of Faith.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. Lockman Foundation.
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