Then It Came To Me…

Stand!! Ephesians 6:13 offers this admonition and exhortation: “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
Frustration, anxiety, anger, depression, feelings of failure, and many of their kinsmen are constantly available to wear down believers. What begins as a moment of doubt can become an overwhelming, devastating, ominous rush. Most of us probably expect some problems or pitfalls along life’s way. However, Satan, the enemy of our souls, specializes in magnifying matters that in reality are manageable. In order to buffet Satan’s attacks and advance evangelistic efforts, we are directed to put on the whole armour of God. Yes, you and I can endure and advance because of this armour. What happens, though, when we’re subjected to prolonged and /or intense attacks?
What happens when saints have put on the whole armour and use the whole armour? What is our resolve when we have done all we know to do? Well, according to God’s Holy Word, we “Stand.” Ephesians 6:13 tells us why the armour is essential. The text teaches that we need the armour, “that ye may be able to withstand…” Withstand what, we may ask? Do you not remember those dastardly kinsmen who come bringing misery to us? Those kinsmen (fiery darts) are what we withstand. Why is it, though, that we can do a good job of employing armour, yet suffer loss? Some-times, the fight leaves us so exhausted that we become vulnerable. We let down our guards. We seem to assume that we can rest because our enemy is momentarily out of sight.
Those moments, though ever so brief, can be the times when Satan launches effective offenses. We get a little too comfortable; we lay down our offensive armour; we compromise our ability to guard ourselves.
How can we ensure that we not fall victim to Satan’s plans to wear us down, and then overtake us? Well, after we have done everything, our armour empowers us to do; we just “Stand.”

Shalom, my Friends, Bishop Kenneth C. Doe