Be Strong
“Remember the good old days…” “I remember when…” “We used to be able to…”
How many times have you heard older people talk about the simpler life, when they didn’t have modern conveniences but they did enjoy a constant “normal.” They were talking about playing outside from dawn until dusk, making do with what they had, and feeling safe when they went out and about.
Those good old days are no longer DECADES ago, but sometimes just five or ten years ago. Maybe even last week! Change is happening so fast that it is scary. Turn on the news and it is clear to see the spiritual decline running rampant worldwide. What’s right is wrong and wrong is right. Every man is doing what is right in his own eyes.
If it breaks our hearts, what does it do to God’s heart? He saw this coming. We read in Daniel and Revelation of a world that is unrecognizable. This world that we live in, that we fight for, is literally going to hell. God said so, that is the destiny of those who don’t know and follow Jesus. The end times are upon us.
I personally know of a family member and also a friend who are being taken to court by other family members. It hurts and we want to fight back. Who is the enemy? What happens when kids are bullied by other kids? The mama bear in us wants to protect them. Who is the enemy? Laws are written that oppose God’s laws. We rail at the television and rant to those around us. Who is the enemy?
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (emphasis mine)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:10-12 (emphasis mine)
We can easily take our eyes off Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, and begin to sink into the water just as Peter did. Our circumstances can overwhelm us so much that we forget the promises in His word. Who do we turn to for answers? For encouragement? Are we prepared for the things that have not YET come, things so horrible that we can’t even imagine them?
Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Ephesians 6: 13
God has already prepared for our defense. He has fully equipped us to do battle. It doesn’t mean we will not suffer, but He is everything we need. He is our sufficiency! There is spiritual warfare in the heavenly places for our nation, for other nations, and we see that in Daniel. We are not alone!
My sisters, we must take up the full armor of God and walk in the light. When we go to the grocery store or the school or even to church, we need not be discouraged. When we watch the news or face conflicts personally, we need not shrink back. He is the God who sees, Elroi. He goes before us, He goes with us. He is FOR us! Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might!
(Editor’s note: I recently finished a Precept Bible study on Ephesians and was so moved by the urgency of that book in today’s world. We can almost get whiplash as we look around at how fast our world is changing. The end is coming, JESUS is coming. I urge you to be ready for the days ahead. It will get worse.
By the way, there’s a whole world out there who doesn’t have that peace and assurance. They may live next door, work next to you, or be across the globe. Pray for the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers.)
