Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (Ephesians 6:10 NIV)
In verse ten Paul begins his discussion of spiritual warfare. In the beginning, God gave authority to Adam to rule the earth. Through Adam's sin, Satan became the god of this world. Jesus defeated Satan through the cross and the resurrection. Jesus restored authority over this planet to man, however, man must exercise that authority.
Warfare requires strength. You cannot wilt under the pressure. Until Jesus places Satan under lock and key, the kingdom of darkness will resist our efforts to do the will of God. But God commands us to be strong, and to obey the Word of God.
God chose Joshua to succeed Moses and to lead the children of Israel into the promised land. Look at the instruction that God gave to Joshua in Joshua 1. Then, see the instruction that Moses gave to Joshua before his departure as recorded in Deuteronomy 31.
"No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you or forsake you." (Joshua 1:5 NIV)
First, God gives the promise of his presence. God tells Joshua that he will never leave him or forsake him. When you know that God is with you, then you know that you can be strong in the Lord.
"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land." (Joshua 1:6a NIV)
"Be strong and very courageous." (Joshua 1:7a NIV)
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9 NIV)
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV)
"Be strong and courageous." (Deuteronomy 31:7 NIV)
"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV)
Then Joshua instructs the army of Israel after a great victory saying, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the LORD will do to all the enemies you are going to fight." (Joshua 10:25 NIV)
I think you get the point. It is necessary to be strong and courageous, and to resist fear in order to be successful in God.
Therefore, Paul said, Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. The Greek word used for the commandment to be strong comes from the same root as the word dunamis, which is used in Acts 1:8 to speak of the power of God that comes upon the believer when he is filled with the Holy Spirit. It is in God that we are to be strong, not by will power. It is through God's power that we can be strong, not through our own strength. Reality is that we cannot truly be strong in our own power; true strength comes only from the power of God.
Nehemiah 8:10 reveals a tremendous truth. Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
To walk in God's strength on a consistent basis requires that you learn to walk in the joy of the Lord. God is the source of your strength, and as you learn to allow his joy to flow through you, then you are strengthened in him.
Often in the Word of God, believers are commanded to rejoice in the Lord. Paul said, Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4 NIV) I could list many more verses about rejoicing, but I challenge you to do some research on this topic.
A believer, who is always grumbling and complaining, is a prime candidate for defeat in spiritual warfare. Why? You can't grumble and complain and be full of joy, and if you are not full of joy, you will not be full of strength.
When the Biblical writers speak of joy, they don't mean some type of silly giddiness. They are speaking of a powerful spiritual force that comes from the fullness of the Holy Spirit, and which comes from knowing that God is in you, and that God is for you, and that he will never leave you or forsake you.
Purpose today to be strong in God. Be prepared for the spiritual warfare which is inevitable. Be filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul said, For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17 NIV)
Seek first the kingdom of God, and through his righteousness, peace, and joy, you will have strength for the spiritual battle.
Wayne L. Williams
wayne@fotwm.org
Wisdom From the Word
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