Ephesians 6:10-12
“And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no weekend war that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.”
“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
It occurs to me the fight spoken of here is what we engage in every day as we make little decisions to honor or dishonor our Lord. Somehow these tiny little battles we face are part of the greater battle Paul speaks of here. Maybe we fight on the margins but we are part of it none the less. Each decision to obey the Lord weakens Satan’s position. This is refreshing because I often feel like I’m in it alone. But I’m not. Just as in an earthly army, I need not know the Lord’s military strategy, my job is to follow orders.
Lord help me! Let this image of participation in a larger fight always encourage me to do my part. By my effort I want to serve you and also my brothers in Christ. Fill me Spirit with strength, wisdom, compassion and drive to honor you in this great glorious battle I am a apart of.