Ephesians 6:10-13 – “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.  13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”  NASU

Yes the listing of the armor is missing from my text but bear with me I am not trying to leave anything out but want to focus on something specific.  It is one thing to know what the problem or need is but having ‘information’ without corresponding ‘action’ is not a benefit but bondage.  Behind everything that is ‘visible’ there is the ‘invisible’ especially in the realm of faith.  Therefore, just ‘knowing’ that we are in a spiritual war that our Lord has won and has made provision for us to walk in that victory will not produce freedom, ‘applying’ it will.  We have to learn to ‘apply’ the principles and ‘appropriate’ the provisions to walk in the fullness of His victory!

If you believe, sooner or later you will have to confess.  The heart believes and the mouth makes confession unto salvation.  After that comes ‘endurance’ for your confession and belief will be tested and/or challenged.  That is why we were instructed in Ecclesiastes 5 to ‘guard’ our steps as we go into God’s house and never be ‘hasty’ with our words in making vows and when we make a ‘commitment’ to God be careful to honor it.  James told us to consider it ‘normal’ to experience fiery trials of our faith.  Therefore the question becomes, ‘How can I stand?”

I have learned that God always makes the man before He release the ministry. He is far more interested in character than charisma.  So we find in Scripture that before God sends us out He allows the enemy to check us out.  The examples are too numerous to list but consider Simon Peter, who constantly allowed his mouth to overload him.  He was often impulsive and hasty and probably thought he was the epitome of faithfulness.  Remember those chilling words, “Lord, though ALL MEN forsake you, NOT ME!”  That’s what makes Luke 22 most interesting when Jesus told Peter that He and the devil had had a conversation about Peter. The devil thought Peter was nothing more than a rolling stone but Jesus had confidence in Him.  He warned Peter that testing was coming and Peter still failed to hear and heed the warning.

We are told in 1 Corinthians 3 that our work will be tried by fire and 1 Peter 1:7 tells us that the trial of our faith is more precious than gold so count on it ‘testing’ is coming to one and all.  You will not be exempt.  Once in college our professor informed us that we, as a class, could decide if we wanted ‘regular small tests’ or ‘one final exam’ and some of the nuts in the class wanted to wait for ONE BIG ONE, what could they have been thinking? 

Hebrews 12:1-2 – “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

             Jesus is our example and pattern so we run ‘fixing’ our eyes on Him.  We have a cloud of witnesses who have gone before us as examples and that is an encouragement for us that ‘we can too.’  So how long do we ENDURE?  As long as is necessary!  Consider Joseph, Abraham, Simeon, the three Hebrew children and all those who died in faith not having seen the promise of Hebrews 11.  How long do you hold on to your confession?  As long as it is true and God’s promise is that He will NEVER leave us or forsake us!

            May God be with you as you go through your day!