Strong, Protected and Able

Daily Reading:  Ephesians 6

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)

Devotional Thought: In Ephesians 6, our final chapter for the year, we find the very popular “spiritual armor” passage, calling us to put on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel sandals of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword and prayers of the Spirit.  When we are thus armed, we will be...

• Strong - not in ourselves, but in the Lord.  If I am strong only in myself, then I will never be able to lift the burdens that God wants me to lift.  If, however, I allow him to wrap his arms around me and grab the load with me, then I can lift anything!  I care not a whit how strong I am.  I only need to have Jesus’ power at work in me.

• Protected - if we put on not just part of the armor, but the full armor.  Too often we find ourselves protected in one area but very vulnerable in another.  I may not have trouble with addiction, but I may struggle with envy.  I may be able to control my anger, but may be vulnerable to temptations to gossip.  We need to put on the full armor of God.  The devil will try and try until he finds our weak points.

• Able - to stand and to hold.  God does not wish for us to barely get by.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit we are more than conquerors!  And, we will be able to keep our territory.  We don't have to give one inch to the devil.  Don’t let sin return in any form to your life.  You are not a sinner, you are a saint!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, that in you we are strong, protected and able.  Help me always to stand in the strength of your might and not my own - so that I may be able to defeat the schemes of the devil.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 150.1-6

1 Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens!

2 Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!

3 Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp!

4 Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!

5 Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!

6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!