There is an interesting verse in the book of Ephesians: “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:13)
In a concise statement several things are stated:
- Therefore. In light of what verse 12 says: For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Therefore is a reminder we are not fighting against humans and easily recognizable enemies; there is a spiritual component to all that is going on. Therefore I need to be prepared.
- “put on.” There is equipment for the battle, but it is spiritual, it is the full armor of the Lord. If we attempt to fight in our strength, it will fail. One must purposely and consciously put on the armor of the Lord
- “so.” “So when the day of evil comes,” The promise is not if you face an evil day; it is not a question of whether or not this is going to happen. So, it means it is coming, and it is going to happen, so the best thing you can do is to be prepared! Too many of us act as if problems and tough times and rampant evil in our world is an aberration. Jesus promised trouble in this world, so we had better be prepared.
- “Be able to stand your ground.” You need spiritual equipment as well as the power of the Holy Spirit in your life to stand your ground. This verse says nothing of retreat. It says nothing in this verse about advancing; it says, “stand your ground.” Standing your ground means to take a stand, do not give up, and hold steady—what a word for each of us. Do not give up, shaking times require we be steadfast in the Lord.
- “Done everything” This statement does not mean that I have planned and implemented my own plan, but I have followed the command of the Lord and have suited up with the armor of God, and I have stood my ground and not retreated. Then, after having done everything, I just keep standing.
- “to stand.” As believers, we are to stand. It does not say having done everything, give up, or run away. Stand, just stand and watch the Lord work.
The passage in Ephesians regarding the armor of God reminds me that God does provide all that we need to make it through these challenging times. Today make sure you are prepared and have done everything, just stand and trust the Lord
