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Finally, grow powerful in union with the Lord, in union with his mighty strength! Use all the armor and weaponry that God provides, so that you will be able to stand against the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers governing this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm. So take up every piece of war equipment God provides; so that when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist; and when the battle is won, you will still be standing. Therefore, stand! Have the belt of truth buckled around your waist, put on righteousness for a breastplate, and wear on your feet the readiness that comes from the Good News of shalom. Always carry the shield of trust, with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the Evil One. And take the helmet of deliverance; along with the sword given by the Spirit, that is, the Word of God; as you pray at all times, with all kinds of prayers and requests, in the Spirit, vigilantly and persistently, for all God's people.
~Ephesians 6:10-18 (CJB)~
I like a lot of the wording of this passage in the Complete Jewish Bible, particularly the reminder to pray vigilantly and persistently for God's people. And how about the need to use all the equipment God provides so that WHEN the battle is won, we will still be standing. The battle WILL be won, and we who are in Christ are on the winning side, but we want to be standing strong at the end, not squeak by. God's given us the equipment we need to remain standing strong and firm, but it's up to us to suit up and be ready each day.
That photo is such a powerful representation of that verse. I want to be standing strong all the way until the end.
ReplyDeleteGood reminder.
ReplyDelete