THE FINAL WORD

"He pulled me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy" (Ps. 18:16-17). Once we become Christians, we are involved in a fight against Satan and his forces. God, however, has given us a defense against Satan and his tactics, which consists of six separate pieces of spiritual equipment. First, He has given us the belt of truth - a willingness to let God's truth govern every part of our lives. Second, the breastplate of righteousness - seeing clearly that we are not saved by our own righteousness, but by Christ's. Third, we must have our feet sandalled with readiness for the Gospel of Peace - our determination to stand firmly in the faith. Fourth, we must raise the shield of faith - the quick action by which we act upon God's truth and refuse Satan's lies. Fifth, we must put on the helmet of salvation - the glorious hope that, one day, the Lord will right all wrongs and establish His eternal Kingdom. Sixth, we must take up the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, and wield the written Scriptures in the same way our Lord did in His wilderness temptations. Having done all this, it is still possible to be defeated by the devil unless we know how to pray in the power of the Spirit. We must pray not only when things are going wrong but continuously, fervently, powerfully, and perseveringly. Our prayers must catch alight and burst into flame. Against such praying, the principalities and powers are helpless. Prayer: My Father, now that I have seen the resources that are available to me in Christ, I realize that my responsibility to avail myself of these resources is greater than ever. Help me to put everything I have learned into action. Amen. [From: Everyday with Jesus Bible, with devotions by Selwyn Hughes, Holman Bible Publishers, 2004].