2010 Prep: Prepare To Defend
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood..." -Ephesians 6:12
A long time ago, I came across a little phrase I have never forgotten: "You don't own anything unless you can defend it, because if something has value, someone will try to take it from you."
In an online forum, I shared this comment with a reader who was struggling with breaking away from a negative situation : "You must make your decision and defend it every day. The good news is that with every successful defense, you become stronger, smarter, and happier."
When St. Paul wrote about our struggles, he made it clear these struggles are not against flesh and blood (not against people). Our struggles to be positive, obedient to God's will, loving, creative, generous, joyful, and energetically influential in the world will be opposed by the spiritual forces of evil. Throughout Scripture, we see the conflict of the ages between the forces of God and the forces of Satan. This is not a battle of equally well-armed opposites. It is a battle of rightness versus wrongness, and the battle is carried out in human experience. There is an ongoing war for the hearts and souls of humanity. We are always in the position of choosing to be right or to be rebellious. Neutrality is not an option.
Prepare to defend. If you have chosen to follow God, prepare to stand your ground. That is the only defensive stance you can take. God will supply the strategy, the power, the insight, and the courage. Our obligation as believers requires us to maintain a strong posture of preparation. Prepare to receive His wisdom and guidance. Prepare to receive His direction and follow it. Prepare to receive His love and care. Prepare to receive His protection. Prepare to receive His victory. Prepare to defend your post.
"May the favor of the LORD our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us--yes, establish the work of our hands." --Psalm 90:17
Happiest New Year wishes to all!
A long time ago, I came across a little phrase I have never forgotten: "You don't own anything unless you can defend it, because if something has value, someone will try to take it from you."
In an online forum, I shared this comment with a reader who was struggling with breaking away from a negative situation : "You must make your decision and defend it every day. The good news is that with every successful defense, you become stronger, smarter, and happier."
When St. Paul wrote about our struggles, he made it clear these struggles are not against flesh and blood (not against people). Our struggles to be positive, obedient to God's will, loving, creative, generous, joyful, and energetically influential in the world will be opposed by the spiritual forces of evil. Throughout Scripture, we see the conflict of the ages between the forces of God and the forces of Satan. This is not a battle of equally well-armed opposites. It is a battle of rightness versus wrongness, and the battle is carried out in human experience. There is an ongoing war for the hearts and souls of humanity. We are always in the position of choosing to be right or to be rebellious. Neutrality is not an option.
Prepare to defend. If you have chosen to follow God, prepare to stand your ground. That is the only defensive stance you can take. God will supply the strategy, the power, the insight, and the courage. Our obligation as believers requires us to maintain a strong posture of preparation. Prepare to receive His wisdom and guidance. Prepare to receive His direction and follow it. Prepare to receive His love and care. Prepare to receive His protection. Prepare to receive His victory. Prepare to defend your post.
"May the favor of the LORD our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us--yes, establish the work of our hands." --Psalm 90:17
Happiest New Year wishes to all!
Comments