Old Testament: 1 Kings 1-2
Poetry: Proverbs 9
New Testament: Ephesians 6:10-13
Ephesians 6:10-13 – “…Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power…”
If you were to look at the different video playlists I have curated in my Youtube profile, you’d see that a majority of them are workout exercise videos. I have playlists for upper body strength, lower body strength, pilates and barre workouts, HIIT and stretching videos. What can I say, I need variety in my life if I’m going to pursue a lifestyle that includes regular exercise.
But physical strength and endurance is not what the apostle Paul is talking about in the sixth chapter in his letter to the Ephesian church.
Nor is Paul referring to mental toughness. The kind of fortitude that prisoners of war or persecuted believers must endure when they are held captive in inhumane environments.
Paul writes the words, “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power”. These words are almost identical to what we read in Joshua 1, verse 9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua was preparing for a physical battle that had spiritual consequences. We probably are not preparing for a physical battle; however, if we are actively pursuing a life centered on the Gospel message, we are indeed engaging in a battle that has spiritual consequences.
So what does it mean to be “strong in the Lord and in his mighty power”?
First, I think it means that we must recognize that if we are going to do anything in the name of Jesus, we are stepping into battle against the devil’s schemes. We become a threat that must be neutralized. A soldier prepares for battle by donning on their tactical gear. We need to do likewise.
Second, “be(ing) strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” means that our own efforts, our intelligence, our will power, our connections, our resources are insufficient protection for what we are up against. If it were up to only us, then our efforts would be whooped before we even really got started.
Once we acknowledge that we are in a battle and we are without adequate protection, what are we left with? We will only be successful in spiritual warfare with our faith. A faith that says:
We believe that God is who He says He is.
We believe that nothing is impossible for God.
We believe that God is faithful to His people.
We believe that God will fight for us.
We believe that God has already won the ultimate battle.
When we cling to these truths, we are “strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” and we can withstand any kind of opposition that we are tasked to face and endure. And we will be victorious.
For whatever battle you might be facing today, remember that you are not alone. You serve a God who loves you and has empowered you with His Holy Spirit to stand firm and do great things. Keep the faith and believe.
-Bethany Ligon
Reflection Questions
- How strong are you – physically, mentally, and spiritually? Of these three areas in which do you spend more workout time developing? How does one go about strengthening spiritual muscles? Why are spiritual muscles important?
- What do you believe about God and His Son Jesus and how does believing each statement help prepare you for spiritual battle?
- What do the devil’s schemes look like? When does he win battles? What can you do to stand against him in God’s power?
Seek Grow Love 