Be Strong in the Lord
As this service has declared repeatedly, the year 2020 has been the most unusual, eventful, and downright crazy year in living memory (for most of us, at least). It will be hard to forget.
Multiple challenges, like waves crashing against the rocks, have buffeted the world as a whole. Take Australia for example: it has had crippling drought, wide spread bush fires, Covid-19 lockdown, reprieve, and then Melbourne was hit with another major lockdown, with curfews and police knocking on the door.
The United States has been hit with Covid-19, with the world’s highest death rate. Then there was lockdown, in various degrees according to which political party runs the state. Then there’s the ‘George Floyd riots,’ meant to protest police brutality. Yet, how does burning Bibles in Portland Oregon have anything to do with George Floyd, a struggling but professing Christian, or police brutality?
The protests, much which emanate from the Left, have reproduced themselves on cue across the western world, including Britain, Australia, and even Israel. The culture war, which this service has discussed for many months, is being displayed in full view. The two sides are the secular humanist/cultural Marxist/progressive, who want a globalist socialistic pantheistic utopian world of equality, inclusion, and tolerance — without God, of course (hence the burning of Bibles). The other side has a worldview of nationalism, exceptionalism, personal liberties, limited government, and for many, the motto ‘In God We Trust.’ The stakes are for the survival of the western civilisation as we know it.
The pandemic, lockdown, unemployment, closed schools and sporting events, have created the ‘perfect storm’ for the unrest in the summer of 2020. The rhetoric and actions of the culture war have become more inflamed, including ‘cancel-culture,’ which has been facilitated in part by Twitter. Remember, however, this most important point: the roots of this problem are spiritual and the solution is equally spiritual.
Is There A Word from the Lord?
Of course! God is always speaking, the question is ‘Are we listening?’
Here are two words: I Chronicles 12:32f: And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do …. We will know what to do when we have ‘understanding of the times.’
Second word: Ephesians 6:10-13: Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 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.
The key phrase for us in all this is ‘be strong in the Lord.’ Since the multiple challenges we face can be strength-depleting, wisdom decrees that we go to a great source of power. Psalm 62:11 declares that ‘power belongs to God,’ as well as mercy and steadfast love (verse 12).
How, then, do we become ‘strong in the Lord’ and in the ‘power of His might?’ Recognise the following:
1. Strength is a decision to obey God: Ephesians 6:10 is not a polite suggestion; it is actually a command. ‘Be strong in the Lord.’ When you are strong in the Lord, you are strong indeed. And remember, don’t be fooled by size. Often we are tempted to gauge strength by the size of a person or even their athletic prowess. Yet, it is the person who is spiritually strong that has the greatest strength of all, regardless of physique or size.
2. Strength is according to God’s might, not yours: God is the source of all power and it is limitless. Therefore, the spiritually strengthened person is drawing strength from God.
3. Invisible spiritual foes: Christian charity decrees that we have an entirely different attitude to people who oppose than Joshua and his armies had to the Canaanites. We are to love, pray, and bless all people, since they are made in the image of God and Christ died for them, too. They are not our real or front-line enemies. In fact, the real enemy is the one you can’t see. Ephesians 6:12 describes these adversaries as principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places. Such enemies are far more powerful than any human foe.
4. Spiritually weaponry: The good news is that God has equipped us with spiritual weaponry that is more than able to inhibit, stop, or turn back spiritual foes. Here in Ephesians we have the ‘whole armour of God’ and are commanded to put it on. These include the gospel of peace on our feet, belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, helmet of salvation, shield of faith and sword of the Spirit. There’s more: Jesus overcame the devil in the wilderness by confessing the Word of God; we can do the same. Praise and worship won a tremendous victory for King Jehoshaphat against 3 kingdoms (2 Chronicles 20).
5.
Spiritual
empowerment: In addition
to the free gift of the gospel and salvation in Christ, the New Testament
teaches us about the baptism and fulness of the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit in
poured out, the believer receives power and boldness (Acts 1:8). Therefore,
prayer in the Spirit is highly encouraged as part of your devotional life and
spiritual weaponry. Jude 20 says you build yourself up in your most holy
faith as you pray in the Holy Spirit.
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