Be Strong in the Lord

Be Strong in the Lord

By Estelle Nazary

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1 Strength and security in God.

Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth!" The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46:10-11

What does he mean, "Be Still"?

Stop and think -

           Those who are not Christians, life is useless without God. May have wealth, power, and everything, but nothing is important without God.

  
           To the Christian, it is a call to pause in our activities, anxieties, and haste - to take life into our own hands and look at reality. Be still, take a fresh look at life, and remember that God is in the midst of it. Within the shelter of his strength, we find security.

This life is a battle, continually fighting Satan. Paul in one passage from the New Testament summons Christians to "Be Strong". 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:10-20

The Chinese Christians have a lovely parable that they tell. When a man dies and arrives before the gates of heaven, he will not be asked to make a pretty speech about how much he loves Christ. The gatekeeper will look the man over very carefully, and if he looks like Jesus, he will let him in.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-11

We need strength and power to live like Christ. We as Christians are a part of the church. The church must possess greater strength, energy, and resources. We are a part of great body of Christ, when one member rejoices, we should all rejoice; when one is in sorrow, we should all sympathize.

Where is the strength of the church?

         The strength of the church is in the strength of its members. It is personal faith, personal          knowledge, personal power that counts. If every church member were just like me, what            kind of a church would my church be?

         The strength of individual Christians is in the Lord, not themselves.

         The strength of individual Christians depends upon a complete armor. Paul calls upon us to put on the whole armor of God. Completeness. It is not enough just to wear a helmet. To be able to stand against the wiles, methods, of the devil, the Christian must neglect no piece of armor. Satan knows our weakest point and he attacks us there. He knows that the fall of one Christian weakens the whole Church, that the victory of one Christian is a victory for the whole church. The Christian can serve best when he puts on the whole armor of God.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Ephesians 6:12-13

Paul reminds us of the warfare, the enemies we encounter.

            We wrestle not against flesh and blood. It is not physical. Material forces are involved as instruments, but the real forces at war are spiritual. We are instruments of Christ. The Christian's battle is against the spirit of evil. Behind what we can see and touch lives the real enemy.

         
            The real enemies are principalities, powers, (organized power not a weak enemy) Rulers of the darkness of this world is the present darkness of this world is the present darkness of paganism, atheism, hatreds, and wars. Spiritual wickedness, in high places, powers that are spiritual and super human. The devil is so powerful, unless we have on the whole armor of God, he will take over in our lives and defeat us.

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. Ephesians 6:14-18

What is the whole armor of God? Paul compares the armor of God with the armor of Roman solider.

            The girdle of truth. The Christian is to be girded with truth, not intellectual truth, but inward reality, sincerity. Without sincerity a Christian cannot stand, he is soon in utter confusion.

            The breastplate of righteousness. It is not enough to be sincere, he must be righteous. It is godliness. It is a spirit in the heart that expresses itself with power in the resistance of evil.

            The shoes of the gospel of peace. The shoes stand for preparedness, readiness to stand in muddy or frozen ground and to march on rugged roads. He must be shod with the preparedness he finds in the gospel of peace. Peace is the purpose of Christianity in the world. Bring peace to our hearts, peace among men, peace toward God, where ever we go.

            The shield of faith. Faith is an attitude toward God. It is trust; trust in Him, in his word, in his assurance, not in oneself. It does his will, lets him choose the place of service, and depends on him for the outcome. Faith puts Christ in command.

            The helmet of salvation. Without salvation, we are hopeless and helpless.

            The sword of the spirit. "The Word of God" If the Christian is to be able to wield that sword, he must take it. He must be always listening to God. We are truly helpless if we do not heed what He says. It is a powerful sword. We must do more than just quote a few verses; we must believe it and obey it.

            Prayer - This is so necessary in our battle against evil. Our deep dependence is in God               Himself.

Mother always put her small daughter to bed after hearing her say her prayer, "Now I lay me down to sleep, if I should die, I pray thee Lord my soul to keep." One night mother was unusually busy and flustered and she just put the child to bed. After a few moments the little girl called, "Mother you forgot my soul." The child meant only that she had forgotten the prayer, but how often we as Christians forget our soul, the spiritual need that could be met by going aside to "be still" and pray.