Glad to be together on this Tuesday! It’s good to continue in our preparation in the Pastor’s Workshop.
Our current series is “Prepare with Prayer”. The Scripture for this week is Ephesians 6:10-18. Our title for Sunday is “Battle Ready”.
On Monday we immersed ourselves in the text. Today we step back and look for a logic that ‘weaves’ through the Scripture. How does the writer invite us into the subject and advance the thought? How does the overall idea open up and draw us into deeper insight?
This Scripture begins with force – “Be strong in the Lord and the strength of God’s might!”
It progresses to “How” to be strong, “Put on the whole armor of God” and “Why” this strength is needed, to withstand the “wiles of the devil”.
It names the struggle being faced as a spiritual wrestling. “Our struggle is not against enemies of flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness…” In that arena only the strength of the Lord will suffice. We need to “take up the full armor of God…so we can stand firm.”
The Apostle paints a picture of what it means to “Put on the full armor.” The illustration is of a Roman centurion, the most formidable fighter of the day, getting suited up. After robing with his undergarments he: cinches up his belt, straps on his breastplate, buckles up his shoes, grabs his shield, dons his helmet and picks up his sword. He is now “battle ready”.
The Apostle makes the spiritual analogy. We are to cinch up the belt of truth, strap on the breastplate of righteousness, cover our feet with what makes for peace, grab the shield of faith, glory in the helmet of salvation and pick up the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
We can envision how this armor equips us for our lives of faith. We want to be guided by God’ truth, do what is right in God’s sight, walk in the ways of God’s peace, have our faith sustained by God’s faithfulness, glory in God’s salvation and have God’s word enable God’s will and way.
Verse 18 sums up this “suiting up”. “Pray in the Spirit at all times, in every prayer and supplication”. We get “battle ready” by preparing with prayer. Preparing with prayer “keeps us alert” to the possibilities of living in God’s grace.
Not only do we pray for ourselves, we also pray for each other. The Apostle says “persevere in supplication for all the saints.” We all are involved in the same struggle and are preparing in the same way. As we stand together in getting battle ready we will prevail.
This is how I discern the connections in this passage and trace the logic of the text. What elements do you see? How do they connect for you? How do they lead you into a deeper walk with Jesus?
Tuesday is always an important day. To sense the “flow” of the Scripture strengthens our own story of faithfulness. I’m grateful for that gift of grace.
In that blessing I’ll let you get to work. I look forward to being with you tomorrow in the Pastor’s Workshop.
Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for Your Word. Thank you for the truth of life it reveals and the way of life it unveils. Open our eyes and our minds more fully through our faith. In the midst of our struggles help us to see that You would make us strong by the strength of Your might. Make us ready for all that this day holds as we prepare with prayer. Let it all be to Your glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen