Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – March 11, 2020
Now my beloved ones, I have saved these most important truths for last: Be supernaturally infused with strength through your life-union with the Lord Jesus. Stand victorious with the force of his explosive power flowing in and through you. Put on God’s complete set of armor provided for us, so that you will be protected as you fight against the evil strategies of the accuser! Ephesians 6:10-11, The Passion Translation
When our daughters were children, one or two of them would sometimes race outside in the dead of winter dressed in a short sleeved shirt—no long sleeves, no gloves, no jacket, no scarf, no hat! Scratching my head in disbelief, I tried to listen to and understand their adolescent reasoning. In one case it was a fashion statement, not wanting to burden herself with the baggage of an unappealing coat in tow, bowing to certain peer expectations. Another line of reasoning was a rush to the next exciting activity—anticipating fun outweighed unnecessary preparation to fight the outdoor elements. Either way, Rita and I helped the girls slow down and dress appropriately.
Paul used vivid imagery of the day, as his readers knew well the dress of Rome’s military. A wise soldier would not engage in battle without weapons, nor would he fight the enemy with only part of his resources. A sword without a shield, a head without a helmet or feet without sandals would give an unfair advantage to the adversary. In a similar fashion, the Lord calls us to prepare for our protection against our antagonist the devil. By faith we suit up in God’s spiritual armor. The Lord’s holy weapons are lethal and through prayer all work together to resist evil strategies.
“We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, NLT).
I lose perspective when I try to reason my way through a rough patch in life. Instead of leaning into the Lord’s weapons of faith, truth, righteousness and His loving salvation—in fear my heart and mind fall captive to the human weapons of logic and self-preservation. God’s will is not always a logical linear step in the easiest direction, often the Spirit humbles me in the wilderness to prepare me for the promised land. In addition, self-less service is the Lord’s tactic to grow my trust in Him so as not to obsess over losing possessions or privileges—He is my provider.
Have life’s battles brought you to your knees? Are you exhausted over not knowing what to do? If so, stop listening to the lies of the enemy telling you there is no hope and you are not worthy of love. Rest in the Lord’s compassion, allow His Spirit to infuse you with strength and comfort. Eternal energy is available for you to tap into with trust in God’s goodness. Lift your eyes off your circumstances onto Christ, for He will lead you to take captive rebellious thoughts, and engage in love’s obedience. Use all the armor of God to defeat the accuser’s lies. In Him, we win!
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, by faith I put on your armor of light to reveal the tactics of darkness, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Application
How can I remind myself to use eternal weapons and not temporal ones to battle the lies of the accuser?
Related Reading
Isaiah 54:17; Zechariah 4:6; James 4:7; 1 John 4:4
Post/Tweet today
The Lord’s holy weapons are lethal and through prayer all work together to resist evil strategies. #WisdomHunters #battle #Jesus #truth
Worship Resource
5 minute music video- Natalie Grant:
Donate
If you are blessed by these daily devotionals please prayerfully consider a donation to support Wisdom Hunters Resources. We are trusting the Lord for His provision.
Download our app!
