Memorize: Help in spiritual warfare
Key Verses: 1, 4, 5, 12, 13, 18,
Everyone has a place in society, and everyone has their struggle connected with that place. Children have the tendency to rebel in their teen years. Fathers have the tendency to be too dictatorial. Subordinate and manager both must act in a way that honors Christ. We don’t have slaves in the United States right now, but that has not always been our history. But we do hire people to work for us to do jobs we can’t or won’t do for ourselves. Do we pay them a fare wage, or do we always try to undercut and save a dollar? How well do we tip waitresses? If we are the manager, how well do we pay our subordinates?
Our battles here on earth are not simply earthly battles. When children rebel against parental authority, it has spiritual implications. Parent’s work as parents has spiritual consequences. All our struggles are spiritual struggles. The goal is to be standing when the battle is over. When we continue to trust, even through the toughest battles, we demonstrate the resurrection power of Christ in our lives. When this happens it is a demonstration that Satan is defeated, and that Christ is victorious.
Notice the equipment that is used in this battle: truth, righteousness, alertness, faith, salvation, the Word of God and Spirit-empowered prayer. These are the things that will keep us standing. When we embrace them, we will stand. When we abandon these core elements of our Christian walk, we get into trouble. We have many defensive articles of clothing and only one offensive thing: the Word of God. We need protection, because no matter how fast we are with God’s Word, it only takes a single arrow to take us down. So memorizing the Word is good, but it must be accompanied by a life lived in truth, righteousness, alertness, faith, and Spirit led prayer.
Notice that Paul does not pray for a prison break, but for the ability to speak fearlessly in the circumstance in which he lives. There is no “get me out of here” prayer in these verses, but instead “make me fearless” in my chains. How many of us focus on the “get me out of here” when we face difficulties? Paul challenges us to declare instead, “use me here.” Are you willing to pray for fearless living right where you are?
The Arnold Journey 