Imperative Reminders

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:10,11 (New International Version)

God is whispering reminders to me this morning. He knows I have been struggling because I have actually forgotten all three of the things He is now bringing to my mind. He is not being harsh. He is being serious yet tender. It is His way of saying, “Pam, it doesn’t have to be like this. Once again, step into the truth of My Word. I have not only good things for you…I have victory available for you.” How I praise Him for His persistence and His patience in getting me to understand I must be aware of my strength, my enemy, and my means of protection and defense.

First of all, my strength is found in Him. It is His strength and His mighty power that give me the ability to stand in victory! My dependency must be on Him and in Him rather than in what I can muster up on my own. The Christian life is not meant to be lived out of self effort, perfected behavior, and impeccable performance. That will only result in draining me. God’s Spirit resides in me to give me all that I need to live victorious in Him. In every area of weakness I must cry out to Him for the strength needed. He is not only ready and willing to give it to me, He is abounding with delight!

Secondly, I have an enemy and his name is Satan. He knows where I am weak, wounded, and vulnerable. He also knows which weapons to use against me. It is essential that I become wise to his ways, otherwise I become a sitting duck to his attacks. I am learning to detect his fingerprints amidst the circumstances of my life. When I find myself feeling discouraged, confused, or defeated, I can count on the fact that he is working against me. When my thoughts are consumed with losses, emptiness, and aloneness, I can be sure he is introducing his interpretation of things to me. How he must dance in glee at any child of God who is ignorant of him and his ways.

Thirdly, I am to daily stand in truth, His righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, His Word, and prayer. If I am not making a daily, conscious effort to put on the armor God has made available to me, I do not stand a chance against the powers of darkness and spiritual forces that abound! The armor is listed in Ephesians 6:14-18. God invites each one of us to take it up, put it on, and fight the good fight of faith as victorious warriors! Will we do it? I pray so!

Father, I needed Your reminder this morning. My defeats come only when I fail to remember and act upon Your Word. I choose today to know where my strength lies, who my enemy is, and what my armor of defense is. Amen.