Today’s Daily Bread ~ Just Enough.

Ephesians 6:13 – Use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm.

Every now and then, I’ll look at a verse of Scripture that I’ve seen a hundred times if I’ve seen it once, and I’ll read it in a completely different way.  That happened to me yesterday.

I’m speaking at an event later this week, and preparing a talk called “From Worrier to Warrior ~ Finding Our True Identity in Christ.”  I’ve put a lot of research into this – more than usual.  The things that go on in our bodies on a neurological and physical level when we worry are astonishing, but the main concept I want to drive home is this:  we are well outside the will of God when we worry.  For God did not give us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).

God wants us to stride through this life with courage, knowing that when we seek God in everything we do, His strengthens us for every task He places before.  He leads us and follows us (Psalm 139:1-6); He walks beside us, holding our hand (Ps. 37:23-24).  He fills us with the power of His Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5).  Yes, we have a powerful enemy, but God Himself provides every tool we need to defeat him (Eph. 6:14-17), and will neither fail us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8).

However, there is a disconnect somewhere.  I know too many dedicated church-goers that know this, but still find themselves caught in the snare of worry and fear.  And then I read this: Ephesians 6:13 – Use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. 

Every piece of God’s armor.

Ephesians 6:14-18 – Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared.  In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan.  Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.  Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.

Every piece of God’s armor.  Although I’ve read this verse many times, and even semi-memorized it, the significance of the word every has never occurred to me.  How many Christians stop with the helmet of salvation?

How many of us go through life with just enough Jesus to secure us a place in Heaven, and then say, “That’s enough.  I’m good.  I won’t go any farther than this.”

In a Roman suit of armor (which is what Paul used for his analogy), the soldier puts on the belt first.  His weapons and his body armor fasten to the belt.  The belt of truth.  What is the truth?

 John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whosoever believed in Him would not perish, but would have eternal life.” 

John 14:2 – “Don’t be troubled.  You trust God, now trust in me.  There are many rooms in my Father’s home, and I am going to prepare a place for you.  If this were not so, I would tell you plainly.”

John 14:6 – “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.  No one comes to the Father but through me.”

There is no other way.  If doubt is holding you back from a trusting relationship with Jesus, address it.  There are plenty of books that provide excellent proof outside of the Bible that Jesus lived, died, was crucified, and rose again.  There are plenty of books that offer evidence so compelling that the universe was not an accident that even the most hard-hearted scientists have come to admit there is a divine Creator.  God is big enough to handle your doubt.  Your questions do not frighten Him.  He is God, and He can handle it.

Historians say that the reason the Romans were such a formidable force was largely their shoes.  They had spikes on the soles that enabled them to stand firm and fight enemies on rocky, hilly or uneven terrain.  Paul tells us to stand firm in the Good News – the Gospels and the Scriptures.  If we don’t seek Christ by reading His Word and understanding His plan for our lives, how will we know Him?  And if we don’t know Him, how can we even begin to trust Him? 

I trust my husband.  When he says he’s handling something, in my mind it’s as good as handled.  I can let it go and focus on something else.  On the other hand, I lived with a girl in college that I didn’t trust.  We would give her our checks to pay a bill, and she’d forget.  Or she’d send ours in, but not hers, and the next month’s bill would come back with a balance.  You know what I did?  I worried about it.  Constantly.  If we don’t know Jesus, we can’t trust Him.  If we can’t trust Him, we will never be able to claim and live in His promises.  Instead, we’ll live a life filled with worry, fear and anxiety.  Just enough Jesus for salvation, but that’s it.  No further.

John 1:43 – The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee.  He found Philip and said to Him, “Come, be my disciple.”

Jesus stretches out His hand and says the same to you and me, “Come, be my disciple.”  Come closer, dig deeper.  I have great and wonderful things to show you.  Your life will never be dull or purposeless.  You will go through trials, but you will feel my Presence.  I will uphold you by my strong right hand.  I will never fail you or forsake you.  I will fill you.  You will drink from the well of Living Water that never runs dry.  Through you, I will bring glory to my Father.  You can trust me, because I love you enough to die for you.  Come closer, dig deeper.  I have great and wonderful things to show you.

Dear Heavenly Father, we love You so much.  Help us to love You more.  Please, let us never be satisfied with salvation.  Make us hungry for You.  Let us feast on Your every Word.  We want to delight in You, Lord.  We want to love what You love and hate what You hate.  You have so many blessings You want to pour out on us, Lord, but we have to turn to You first.  We have to come to You with heart and hands open, ready to receive.  Give us a spirit of love and generosity.  Cleanse our hearts.  Bless us to be a blessing to others, and help us to glorify Your Son in everything we do.  It is in the precious, beautiful name of Jesus Christ that we pray.  Amen.