Stand Firm and Be Ready

Ephesians 6:11-12 describes the spiritual warfare that is raging throughout the universe and begins to prepare us to stand firm in the midst of this battle: "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." As you can see from this passage, it is a tremendous battle that every Christian faces.

Ever since Lucifer (Satan) rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven (Isa. 14:12-15; Rev. 12:7-9), along with a host of angels who rebelled and fell with him (his host of demons; Rev. 12:4), Satan has continued to fight against God. The battle he wages against God and His angels in the spiritual realm is often carried out through attacks on God’s people in the natural realm, here on earth. As Christians, we are drawn into this spiritual conflict as we are attacked by the various "schemes of the devil."

It is a spiritual conflict because our enemy is a spiritual enemy: Satan and his host of demons. This enemy is very strong, but Jesus is far, far stronger. We cannot fight this war in the power of our own flesh. As 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 points out: "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." It is God’s battle. It can only be fought in God's power and in God's armor.

Satan opposes the believer in many ways. Sometimes he makes a very direct and obvious attack by causing trouble that makes life difficult for us. Oftentimes, however, his attack is indirect and subtle. He tries to tear down God’s character and call into question His integrity. He tries to get us to distrust God. Our greatest strength is to trust God. So if Satan can break down that trust and get us to distrust God, he has won the battle.

In countless ways, Satan seeks to tempt us to doubt God, as he did with Adam and Eve: "Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made" (Gen. 3:1). Satan possessed the serpent and said to Eve, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?'" (v. 1). "Has God indeed said?" He misquotes God’s Word, trying to cast doubt. When Eve mentioned death (vs. 2-3), the serpent said, "You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil" (vs. 4-5). It was all an attempt to fulfill Satan’s greatest desire—to convince us that God cannot be trusted. He wants us to distrust God and deny His Word.

When things go wrong, when bad things happen, Satan seeks to cause us to doubt God and place the blame on Him. "Why me? Why did you do this to me, Lord?" is the question we tend to ask. Wrong question! God did not cause the trouble. God is the answer. In times of trouble, He wants you to trust Him and believe. He wants you to draw closer to Him. He will bring you through the time of trouble a stronger, more faithful Christian. He may even do so in miraculous fashion. But whatever He does, it will be in your best interest, designed to build you up and make you more like Christ.

With this spiritual battle in mind, Ephesians 6:14-17 introduces six pieces of armor God gives us that enable us to stand against the attack of Satan. The first three pieces of spiritual armor (vs. 14-15) enable us to stand firm and be ready. The participle "having" (v. 14), in the Greek aorist tense, indicates a completed point of action. These three attributes are permanent. We must never be without them.

Note verses 14-15: "Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace." So the first three attributes, or pieces of spiritual armor, are the belt of "truth," "the breastplate of righteousness," and the boots of the "preparation of the gospel of peace." Three attributes from God that help you stand firm and make you battle ready.

First, the soldier grids himself with a belt, tucking in his tunic so that it does not hinder him in the fight. In Bible times, the Roman soldier wore a long shirt, or tunic, that covered his entire body and hung down around his feet. In battle, which was primarily hand to hand combat, it would get in the way, possibly tripping him. To avoid this, he tucked his tunic in his belt to keep it out of the way.

We gird ourselves spiritually with the belt of "truth," always being ready for the battles of life, surrounded in God’s truth. What better way is there to face the onslaught of Satan in the various battles of this life than with all excess baggage tucked firmly away where it cannot hinder us or trip us up in any way. We need no distractions in the midst of our spiritual battles. The truth of God keeps us true to Him and keeps us walking on that narrow way.

For the Roman soldier, his breastplate was the piece of armor made to protect his vital organs from the weapons of the enemy. It protected his life against attack by the broadsword, the small dagger, and the fiery arrows the enemy would bring against him.

We have put on "the breastplate of righteousness" to stand firm against Satan’s schemes by living a holy life after that of Jesus. Galatians 2:20 says, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Living each day by faith in Christ and letting Him live His life through you protects your vital organs, spiritually speaking, from any weapon the enemy might bring against you.

The Roman soldier had special combat boots made with steel soles that could not be pierced by sharp objects they might step on as they marched over rough terrain. The boots also had nails sticking out of the soles to act as cleats and give them sure footing in the midst of hand to hand combat. The boots gave them an advantage over the enemy.

"Preparation" has to do with readiness. The boots of the "preparation of the gospel of peace" enable us to stand and not fall. When you stand firm in the gospel of Jesus Christ, the "gospel of peace" reconciling you to God, you have an advantage over your spiritual enemy, Satan. That advantage is your salvation.You belong to Jesus by faith and Satan cannot steal you away. It is Christ in you that enables you to stand firm and be ready in the midst of the battle.

Trust God. Do not doubt. Be prepared to take a stand. Having put on truth, righteousness, and the gospel of peace, Jesus will fight the fight for you and give you the victory every day. Amen.

A Call to Arms

Christians in America can easily become complacent and their faith can suffer shipwreck, all because they fail to understand the seriousness of the spiritual war they are engaged in. And yes, whether you realize it or not, you are engaged in a spiritual war, that is, if you know the Lord Jesus as your Savior.

But even those who understand and are willing soldiers of Christ, are helpless without God’s provision. And that is Paul’s point here when he tells us to “take up the whole armor of God” (Eph. 6:13a). Why? “That you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (v. 13b). God’s provision enables us to stand firm against Satan and the evil of the day.

This is important because the closer we walk with Jesus the greater the attack. Satan just ramps up his forces and keeps on coming, which is all the more reason to take this passage to heart and “take up the whole armor of God.” When you meet the spiritual challenges God sends your way, great opposition often arises. Paul told the Corinthians, “But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Cor. 16:8-9). “A great and effective door has opened”…But “there are many adversaries.”

This is a call to arms! The more you grow in faith and the closer you walk with Jesus, the harder Satan fights. We are in a spiritual war. That is why it is paramount that we understand five basic truths as we prepare to go into battle.

First, our strength is in the Lord. The theme of this passage is found in 1 Corinthians 16:13, which says, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” So Paul’s final instructions to the believers in Ephesus is, “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Eph. 6:10). Our strength is in the Lord. Let Christ make you strong. As Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).

Second, our armor is of God. Paul continued, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand” (Eph. 6:11a), or “stand firm” (NASB); “so that you can take your stand” (NIV). This is an absolute must for every believer. There is no survival apart from God’s provision. Satan is too strong for us, but not for Jesus. That is why it is so important that we do as Paul has directed and “put on” all of God’s “armor.” In the Greek, “put on” carries the idea of  permanence. We put on these attributes and we never take them off!

Third, our enemy is Satan. We are equipped with God’s armor so that we can stand firm “against the wiles (or “schemes,” NIV) of the devil” (v. 11b). That is something we cannot do without the Lord’s help. Just look around you. A strange thing is happening. Everywhere you go there is an ever-increasing disbelief in Satan. At the same time, demonic activity, involvement in the occult, and outright Satan worship, is also increasing. These things all play right into Satan's hands. Satan’s schemes must not be allowed to catch us unawares.

Fourth, our battle is against demons. Verse 12 contains a daunting truth for all ages: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Never underestimate the strength of the enemy. One of Satan's great schemes, an effective scheme that is a great danger for believers, is the delusion that there is no spiritual realm and therefore no seriously threatening conflict between good and evil. Do not fall for his trap. One look at verse 12 should make you shudder. The enemy is a mighty foe, but Jesus is mightier. He has already won the victory and has provided the armor needed to take your stand.

Fifth, our victory is to stand. “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (v. 13). God’s armor enables you to stand against the enemy and stand strong for Jesus. Put on all of the armor, take advantage of all of God’s provisions, and you will win the victory. Amen.

Always Safe

Psalm 23 is very personal. David doesn’t say “we” or “us” or “they.” He only says “my” and “me'” and “I,” along with “he” and “you.” It flows from David's personal experience with God. That is why this psalm has such power.

The form of this psalm is very interesting. The use of those pronouns tells us a great deal about how we learn of God and how we approach Him. In verses 1-3 God is referred to in the third person as “He”: “He makes me lie down; He leads me; He restores my soul.” Then in verses 4-5 David refers to God in the second person as “You”: “You are with me; Your rod and staff comfort me; You prepare a table before me; You anoint my head with oil.” Then in verse 6 he switches back to the third person in reference to God: “I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

What David does in this psalm is turn from talking about God to talking to God. Like David, we need to interweave our theology (talking about God) with prayer (talking to God). Or you might say, we should interrupt our talking about God by talking to God. When we talk about God and His goodness, we should follow by taking time to thank Him for the good things He does. When we do this, we not only describe God in our heads, but we experience Him in our hearts.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (v. 4). Suddenly, danger looms and just as quickly David drops the third person “He” in favor of the second person singular “You!” He is no longer talking about the Good Shepherd; he is talking to the Good Shepherd.

Here we see how God protects us by His presence. It is a very vivid scene. The shepherd is leading the sheep back home at evening. As they go down through a narrow gorge, the long shadows lie across the trail. In the Hebrew, this is literally a "valley of deep shadows." The sheep, because they are timid and defenseless, are frightened. But they trust the shepherd, and therefore they are comforted. They “will fear no evil,” because the shepherd is with them.

Jesus said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). When we find ourselves in a “valley of deep shadows,” we often respond by thinking that the Lord has abandoned us. But Jesus said He never leaves us, He never forsakes us, He is always there. Therefore we have no reason to fear. His very presence is our protection. So the valleys draw us closer to God.

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over” (v. 5). The metaphor changes from the Good Shepherd to the gracious host. God spreads a banquet for his guest, anoints his head with oil, and keeps his cup filled. But the banquet is set “in the presence of (his) enemies.”

This figure may come from the historical setting in which David wrote. He had been driven into the wilderness by his son's rebellion and he found himself out in the desert, hungry and weary, his army in disarray. At this point, three men who were not even Israelites, provided for him. God prepared a table before him in the presence of his enemies. God provides for those who love Him.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (v. 6). This is the conclusion David comes to after he has passed, as it were, from the green pasture, through the dark valley, into the banquet hall of God. He realizes that there is every reason to believe that God's goodness and mercy will follow him all of his days.

“Follow” can mean to trail behind and never quite catch up. That is not very comforting: “Surely goodness and mercy will never catch up to me all the days of my life.” What the Hebrew word used here actually means is “to pursue,” often used in the sense of doing harm. Because he trusts in the Lord, David says God's “goodness and mercy” will pursue him, instead of those who are out to destroy him. When you stray from God, evil pursues you. Keep your eyes on Jesus the Good Shepherd who died and rose again, and God’s “goodness and mercy” will pursue you. Amen.

On Right Paths

Psalm 23 uses the metaphor of the shepherd to show how he cares for his sheep. It is essentially prophecy that looks ahead to the Good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ, who would show His love for His sheep by making the ultimate sacrifice. In John 10:11 Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” Here is the cross. The cross reminds us of the truth that Jesus shed His blood and died on the cross for our forgiveness.

Then Jesus further explains, “I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again” (John 10:17-18). Here is the cross and the resurrection. The Good Shepherd gave His life for the sheep He loved and He rose again to give them eternal life. In John 10:27-28 Jesus says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.”

The shepherd of Psalm 23 is the Good Shepherd of John 10. When we confess with the Psalmist, David, “The LORD is my shepherd” (Ps. 23:1), we confess that the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, is our Lord, our Savior, our Provider. He provides for our salvation and meets all of our spiritual needs, as well as our physical needs (vs. 2-3a). He also gives us direction in life. In verse 3b we read, “He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

“He leads me in the paths of righteousness " literally reads, “He leads me in right paths.” The Hebrew word translated “paths” means “a well-defined, well-worn trail.” That indicates how stupid sheep are, because even when the trail is well laid out, they still need a shepherd. They are still inclined to wander away, no matter how obvious the path may be. The shepherd knows the trails. He has been there before. The sheep trust him. The sheep follow Him.

I am reminded of Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” When you trust Him, lean on Him, and acknowledge Him in all ways, He gives you direction. He will lead you in the “right path.” That is a promise! And He does this for His name's sake, not yours. It is not your name that is at stake, it is His name. It is His character, His reputation that is at stake. “For His name’s sake” He is faithful. He promised to lead us in the right paths, and He will.

We need a shepherd. We need someone who knows the trails, someone whom we can trust. We all need direction in life from someone who knows the way. That is where Jesus the Good Shepherd comes in. He knows the way. Trust Him! Amen.

All Things Are Satisfied

Psalm 23 is a great Psalm of comfort. That is why it is so often quoted at funerals. But it is too great to be left only for times of sorrow. That is why I want to look at Psalm 23 throughout this month.

The overall theme is stated in verse 1: “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” With the Lord as your shepherd all things are satisfied. With the Lord as your shepherd you will not be in want because you lack nothing. When the Lord is your shepherd even the things that seem to be lacking are insignificant compared to the peace God gives you in your heart. Knowing God is there to watch over you and provide for your needs makes all things easier to bear. It gives you a peace that all things are satisfied, all needs are or will be met in God’s perfect timing.

If “the LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.” If you are in want, then the Lord is not your shepherd. If your life is empty and filled with loneliness and despair, then the Lord is not your shepherd. If anyone or anything other than Jesus is your shepherd, your life will never be fully satisfied. When something such as your vocation or education is your shepherd, you will be left frustrated, restless, and even in despair. When another person is your shepherd, you will be disappointed and left empty. But if the Lord is your shepherd, David says, you shall not want.

When the Lord is not your shepherd, if someone or something else holds that position in your life, you may feel like God is distant. Let me tell you, if God is distant, He is not the one who moved; you are. Isaiah says, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6). Isaiah concludes that same verse with these words: “And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Jesus died to take away our sin. Jesus died to become our Good Shepherd. When we admit our need of a saving Shepherd we discover the truth of what David is saying. We shall not want.

Psalm 23:2-3a tells how the Good Shepherd meets our needs. “He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul.” He meets our basic need of nourishment within. Sheep need grass and water. Here is a picture of sheep lying in a grassy meadow, their hunger satisfied, as well as their thirst by the still waters. Sheep do not like running water. They prefer a quiet pool. So the good shepherd leads them to grassy meadows with quiet waters where they can rest and feed and drink.

In much the same way, God restores the inner man through His Word. Feed upon the Word of God and you will see Jesus. Draw upon Him and you will be satisfied. Trust Him and your soul will be restored. When you come to know Him, believe what He says and act on His Word, and you will soon discover His fullness on the inside. Your needs are met. All things are satisfied. Amen.