We live in intense spiritual conflict; the battlefield is gruesome; the enemy relentless. Wielding his limited power, he will do all in his ability to reign victorious over the children of God. In the midst of the heat of battle and the strongest temptation, we must not forget or neglect truth, the Word of God. The Lord God Almighty is infinite in power and absolute in knowledge. He always has and always will be sovereign over all creation. Therefore, we can, and we must live in full dependence upon Him; we must go out into every conflict under His banner, under His authority, and in submission to His plan. In writing to the Ephesians, Paul commended believers to live in God’s truth in every area of life and concluded his letter speaking of this ever-present conflict. “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” (Ephesians 6.10-11).
Our strength to do God’s will does not come from the power of our will, the magnitude of our physical ability, or the abundance of our wisdom. Our true strength will only come from complete and absolute dependence upon our sovereign Lord and His unlimited strength over the evil one, over all temptation and sin, and over the fierceness of our own sinful flesh; our victory in battles will only come as we fully depend on the powerful working of the indwelling Holy Spirit and are vigilantly focused on pleasing God, on living in harmony with His Word. The enemy’s schemes are vicious and devious; they are often unexpected and persistent; they can be harsh and horrific. However, they are never too great to be conquered by our Creator God; they are never too strong to be overcome by our Redeeming God; they are never too persistent to be silenced by our Father God. Clothed with His armor and trusting in His power, we will know victory over all sin and over the ever deceitful and miserable enemy of the cross.
Soldiers of Christ, arise, and put your armor on,
strong in the strength which God supplies thro’ His eternal Son;
strong in the Lord of hosts and in His mighty pow’r,
who in the strength of Jesus trusts is more than conqueror.
Stand then in His great might, with all His strength endued,
and take, to aid you in the fight, the panoply of God.
From strength to strength go on, wrestle and fight and pray;
tread all the pow’rs of darkness down and win the well-fought day.
Leave no unguarded place, no weakness of the soul;
take every virtue, every grace, and fortify the whole.
That, having all things done and all your conflicts past,
ye may o’ercome thro’ Christ alone and stand complete at last.
– Charles Wesley
Clothed with His armor – we have much to be thankful for –
Terry Burlingame
My Morning Desk 