Standing Firm

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints."

"Stand", "withstand", "stand firm", and "stand therefore" – four mentions of "stand firm" all within this same short passage from Ephesians 6!

I was thinking on this passage that sheds so much light on what spiritual warfare looks like today, and how to fight it, because I'm in the thick of my own spiritual battles, and I want to know how to overcome.

That sounds all nice and "spiritual", but the Lord revealed to me some of the motivation behind it. I want to fight right, and I want to fight fast so it will all be over as soon as possible, and I can rest again!

Hmmm.

That's really not the right reason to be trying to fight these battles! I was just looking for the rest at the end! Maybe I should be more concerned about God's glory, or fighting sin, or accomplishing something for His kingdom than for the break I expect (or maybe even my heart demands!) when the battle is over!

My spiritual battles often feel like they have been ongoing, for many years. And, yes, there really has been one battle after the other in my heart, with usually only a few days, at most, between battles.

But maybe that is okay!

These verses don't call for victory or earthly peace. We're simply to have strength to stand. They talk about withstanding in the evil day. To stand firm. To stand fast. To stand against the devil.

What does standing fast look like?

As I was thinking about these things, the Lord gently reminded me that, in the midst of my battle, standing firm will sometimes simply look like me standing there, being assaulted by all that the enemy can throw against me, but with my face lifted to heaven, looking to Jesus. It will sometimes simply mean enduring, through the pain, with my eyes fixed on Him!

Hmmm.

This was not what I was looking for as I began meditating on the passage! But since I don't get to define God, or question what God has said is true, I need to re-align myself with what He has said.

Yes, we can look to eternal rest! That is our reward! But here, on earth, we need to stand firm, and to endure.

Not every experience of life is full of joy. He is our joy, so look to Him and endure! When there is something we don't like, and we can't control, still, look to Him, and endure. If honoring Him through the current battle means denying self and experiencing pain, look to Jesus, and endure.

Stand firm with me! Yes, let's utilize the whole armor of God! But if your motivation for doing so is off, either in the area mine was off, or in any other way, re-align your expectations of the result with me. When we're left, because of a broken, sin-filled world, battered and hurting, lift your face to Jesus, stand firm. Continue loving Him! Continue serving Him! Continue praising Him! Endure.

"And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." (Jesus' words from Matthew 10:22)