10 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power."
Ephesians 6:10 (NIV)
What do you say to yourself as you face life's toughest challenges and biggest battles? How do you brace yourself for a tempest, testing, trial?
God works well with those ready to fight. That's why He charges us with these 11 words of Ephesians 6:10. Let's unpack them.
This is INCREDIBLE! The word “Finally” opens Ephesians 6:10. It's used not just because it's the last big topic to be tackled in the book, but because incredible news follows. God alerts people to ultimate realities, surefire conflict, spiritual warfare and how to triumph in the end.
The fight is INEVITABLE. A real, raging, hungry four-headed monster (Death, Destruction, Discouragement, and the Devil) picks fights all the time, always rearing an ugly head of conflict. It insatiably aims to steal, kill and destroy. Don't underestimate this powerful, wicked, cunning monster.
My effort is INADEQUATE. Not all fights are the same. Some foes require more than one can muster. When it comes to this enemy, there's no winning on our own. Spiritual warfare is brutal, insidiously tough, deadly. Having a supernatural defense and offense is crucial.
God's power is INVINCIBLE. Learning to fight IN His mighty power is key. That's why God introduces in the verses to follow HIS powerful set of six weapons for us to ward off the darkness (see Ephesians 6:14-18). His weapons insulate. His weapons trump. His weapons win.
So speak to yourself. Get some great self-talk going. Declare Ephesians 6:10. It helps a ton to hold together, to get ready for battle, to start to stand ground. It helped me a ton just yesterday. May it help you a ton today. And may it help us win for a lifetime.
A prayer to consider: LORD, help me be strong IN You, THROUGH You, FOR You. Much is required of me to fight and win in this life. Your mighty power is what I need. Thank You by faith for granting it. Off to battle I go today with these 11 igniting words! Amen.
P. S. You can't charge Hell with a squirt gun. Better to hold onto Ephesians 6:10, and then put our hands all over the weapons that God gives in the verses to follow.
