Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Ephesians 6:10.
This has always been applicable to God’s people in every age of the world, but how much more so to the remnant church who have to meet the constant and most powerful masterly workings of the power of darkness for this last time. The words of the apostle come sounding down the lines to this time: “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:11, 12).
These words inspired of God are appropriate for us. They apply in a special manner to those who are endeavoring to keep the commandments of God amidst a crooked and perverse nation among whom they shine as lights in the world. O how solemn, how fearfully solemn is this time for the youth among us who have had great light, . . . that their words, spirit, and character shall not be misleading to those with whom they associate. . . .
“Take unto you the whole armour of God” (verse 13). Make your guide the Word. “Take” it. The whole armor which is furnished you in the Scriptures is all prepared for you to take. “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth” (verses 13, 14).
Fiction, spurious interpretations of the Scriptures, dishes of fables, are everywhere presented for your acceptance. But great discernment is needed that the girdle should be the golden chain of truth. “And having on the breastplate of righteousness”–not your own, but the righteousness of Christ. This is the fortress of the soul. We may, with Christ’s righteousness going before us, withstand the moral darkness and penetrate the devices of the satanic agencies.
That I May Know p. 346
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Prayer Requests
—– David M passed away yesterday morning. Please lift the family up in prayer.
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Dear Friends,
Shortly after I had gotten back from Esther’s this last time, I began to have some car troubles. The car’s throttle actuator failed which made the car run so badly that I could barely get home from the store. I was so thankful that God had kept the part from failing while I was on my trip. About a third of the ten hour drive between her house and mine are miles and miles of nothing but sand hills and scrubland. No houses, no gas stations, only an occasional vehicle, not a place to have car trouble.
About a week later, Ron and Ronnie Jay were coming back from a hike. When they were almost home, the back tire blew. It was literally ripped to shreds. Some of the roads they had been on that day were seldom travelled. If the tire had gone flat on one of those dirt roads, they would have been in big trouble. Somehow the jack had been taken out of the trunk so they would have had no way to put on the spare. How thankful we were that it had happened only a couple of miles from home. I was even more thankful that the tire had not blown on my trip.
Think of it! The great King of the Universe, He, Who upholds “all things by the word of his power,” kept my car from breaking down while I was driving those many miles through desolate wilderness! Indeed, He is interested in every aspect of the lives of all those whom He has redeemed. “I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.” Ps 116:1,2 “O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Ps 107:1
Even though life is short and full of trials, God shows in a multitude of ways His great love for us. Indeed, He loves us with an everlasting love and draws us to Himself with His loving kindness. (Jer 31:3) David assures us, “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.” Ps 103:13-18
May we daily rejoice as we see evidence of our Dear Saviour’s love and care. May we “bless the LORD at all times: [and let His] praise… continually be in [our] mouth.” May we always recognize the blessings and goodness of God and “bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore” is my prayer. Ps 34:1;115:18
Rose