There was once a young man who stood in the shadow of a great leader. When that leader passed away, it fell to his young apprentice to pick up the reins of leadership. As he did so, he faced his circumstances with a certain amount of understandable doubts and fears. Then someone encouraged him, telling him to be strong and exhibit courage, because God would enable him. The leader was Moses, his apprentice was Joshua, and the encourager was the Lord Himself (Josh. 1:1-9).
God likewise challenges believers in the dispensation of grace to be strong. Paul told grace believers to ββ¦quit you [or act manly] like men, be strongβ (1 Cor.Β 16:13) and to ββ¦be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His mightβ (Eph.Β 6:10). We must not cower in fear nor surrender to Satan who is waging spiritual warfare against us. We must be strong!
We can do so by remembering Godβs power is available to us.Β Paul prayed the saints would comprehend ββ¦the exceeding greatness of His power [is available] to us-ward who believeβ (Eph.Β 1:19). The Lord offers us His power, and wants us to have it. Believe it!Β Godβs power is accessed βby His Spirit in the inner manβΒ (Eph.Β 3:16). We can never triumph over Satan in our own strength, but we can when we allow Godβs power to flow in our lives in our inner man. Nourish your inner βnew manβ in Christ!
Our inner man is empowered by equipping ourselves with βthe whole armour of GodβΒ (Eph.Β 6:11). This can be summarized by choosing to have a consistent daily walk in truthfulness and righteous behavior as our standard (Eph.Β 6:14), being always prepared to give the gospel (Eph.Β 6:15), protecting our minds through faith in Godβs Word (Eph.Β 6:16), living in the confidence of our eternal victory (Eph.Β 6:17a), using the Scriptures to slice through Satanβs lies (Eph.Β 6:17b), and being constant in prayer (Eph.Β 6:18). Be vigilant in clothing yourself with apparel that enables you to have victory in your daily life!
Paulβs admonition is ββ¦and having done all to stand, stand thereforeβ¦β (Eph. 6:13-14).Β Have you done all you need to do to stand victorious today?Β Are you remembering Godβs power is available to you? Have you been spiritually strengthening your inner man? Will you consistently equip your soul with the whole armour of God?Β Be strong believer! God will enable you if you look to Him for His power to overcome whatever you face today. source
