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By: Lori Reeves
You may listen to this devotion in audio form via podcast here.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 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.
In early March of 2020, my husband and I were eagerly awaiting news of the arrival of our first grandchild. We finally (FINALLY!), received the call from our son that Eden had safely made her sweet little entrance into the world on March 10th – literally three days before the world as we knew it shut down. In what seemed to be a heartbeat, schools, shops, concerts – even churches – closed their doors and we found ourselves thrust into a form of sheltering in place and an eerie isolation. The fear of either our loved ones or ourselves being attacked by Covid was, to say the least, unsettling.
17 months later, we continue to see chaos almost at every turn. Covid seems to be ever present, the turmoil in Afghanistan and at our own border leave an unnerving sense of fear, frustration, and sometimes anger.
When we are hit with so much uncertainty, what do we do? Who do we “go to”? Are we looking to our friends, parents, or pastors for answers? While that may be an immediate reactionary response, are we really going to find the answers for all of our “What ifs” from them? The fact of the matter is we are not going to find answers or security from other human beings. Because we are all just that – human beings.
When life is chaotic and fear of the unknown begins to settle into our hearts & minds, we can fight that fear by immediately choosing to do what Paul tells the church in Ephesus, “Finally, be strong in the Lord...” I believe the words Paul left for the Ephesians were intended for all Christians. And they are not suggestions. When we choose to put on the full armor of God and understand who and what we are really fighting, we are strong in the Lord. And even if we are only capable of standing – we are still standing in the strength and promise of Christ.
Additionally, as the chaos of this fallen world will inevitably be ongoing, we can decide to fight any fear that might be settling into our hearts by immediately giving thanks to God for all his promises kept – such as the blessings of marriages, newborn babies and healings taking place in the middle of earthly chaos. It seems simplistic, but when we give our worry over to him – when we focus on God’s mercies that truly are new every morning - our burden is lifted.
Romans 5:1-5: Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
My prayer over all of you (all of us) is that we choose to find our strength and hope in the eternal promises of Jesus Christ.