His Heart, My Home

¹⁰ “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. ¹⁴ STAND THEREFORE…”
(Ephesians 6:10-14)

GOD’S ARMOR ENABLES US TO STAND!

Most of the time, we hear teaching on this passage which focuses on God’s armor, not on the believer inside the armor. We study the armor in detail, but barely even think of the attributes and attitudes of the one inside the armor.

There are four Greek words in the New Testament that are translated as “power”.
Three of the four are found in Verse 10:

“Finally, my brethren, be strong (endunamo) in the Lord, and in the power (kratos) of His might (ischus).”

We are not going to study these words individually at this time. It’s sufficient to say that God has made His strength, power, and might abundantly available to us. He did this because it is always His will and plan for us to be victorious.

But, notice carefully…

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand…” (Verse 10)

“Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand…”
(Verse 13)

BUT WHAT’S INSIDE THE ARMOR?

God graciously provides us with His armor and His power to enable us to stand in our struggles and battles, but that alone doesn’t guarantee a victorious outcome. What do I mean? I’ll ask you to consider this question:

What is inside the person, who is inside the armor?

The “inside-person”, inside the person, who is inside the armor, must be “strong in the Lord and in the power of His might”.

The armor doesn’t win the battle. We do, while we are wearing it. In other words, we must be willing to stand and fight our battles in the power of God’s might, with stubborn faith!

But even stubborn faith can be worn down over time. Abraham, the father of faith, and Sarah, after standing strong for eleven years for their promised son, eventually resorted to an “alternate plan” that was completely outside of God’s will, a plan that entangled and diminished poor Hagar and Ishmael.

A SUPERNATURAL SOURCE OF STRENGTH

So let’s peel back another layer. We are encouraged to be “strong in the Lord”, but what is the well-spring of our strength? We are told very directly that:

“… the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
(Nehemiah 8:10)

The armor is vitally important. The stance of stubborn faith is absolutely necessary. 
But while in your stance of faith… REJOICE!

Because it is the JOY OF THE LORD that supernaturally strengthens us, supports us, supplements us, and sustains us in the heat of the battle. It is the JOY OF THE LORD that ultimately secures our victory!

Think about it. Jehoshaphat’s victory was won without armor, weapons, swords, or shields! The people of Judah literally did nothing militarily, when faced with enemy armies that vastly outnumbered them. Yet through their praise, worship, and rejoicing they did everything necessary for the victory!

(Please see 2 Chronicles 20:20-24)

PRAISE IS A SUPERNATURAL WEAPON

It’s vitally important for us to know why joy is such a powerful weapon, and how praise and worship propel us from victory to victory.

“Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants you have ordained strength, because of your enemies, that you may silence the enemy and the avenger.” (Psalm 8:2)

Jesus, quoted this very verse as He entered Jerusalem riding on a young donkey while the crowd cried, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” He said:

“…from the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise“.
(Matthew 21:16, The Passion Translation)

It’s easy to see through a side-by side comparison of these two verses, that Jesus equated praise with strength.

Strength to do what? Strength that silences the enemy and the avenger. I like the Passion Translation which says:

“… this kind of praise has power to shut Satan’s mouth.” (Psalm 8:2, TPT)

HOW JOY DEFEATS THE ENEMY

When the enemy is screaming at the top of his lungs that your situation is hopeless, that God won’t answer your prayers this time, and that you’re doomed to failure, use your spiritual remote control! Mute the devil by praising God, who always causes you to triumph in Christ!

The Bible tells us that God inhabits our praise. Our praise invites His manifested presence onto the scene. His power is displayed, and our enemies are silenced, paralyzed with fear. (Psalm 22:3)

So rejoice! Give God your highest praise! Shout your victory! Be joyful in God your Savior! Praise His name, the name that is above every other name!

You may have been “going through hell”, fighting a battle that has left you depleted, exhausted, and near collapse. Don’t give up!

You still have breath in your lungs! Use it to praise Him! (Psalm 150:6 – Last verse of the Book of Psalms = “the final word”!)

REIGNITE YOUR FAITH WITH JOY

Let’s take one more look at Nehemiah 8:10 as we close: “… the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

JOY
The Hebrew word used is “chedvah”. It is only used twice in the entire Bible, one of those here in this verse. It refers to a “glowing coal”.

You may feel like your fire has completely gone out  and your joy is extinguished, but there is still a glowing ember there in the hearth of your heart. Blow on it by faith with the breath you still have in your lungs. Holy Spirit Himself, will rush into that aching emptiness in your soul like a mighty wind, to reignite the fire of Pentecost in you!

The result? New strength! Greater victories!

STRENGTH
The Hebrew root word used is “azaz”, which means, “to prevail in battle”.

So there it is! Our praise in the midst of the battle will silence the enemy and extinguish his flaming missles. The force of joy will  rekindle our fire, amplify our strength, and give us the victory!

LET EVERYTHING THAT HAS BREATH PRAISE THE LORD!

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My wife, Grace, and I are very proud to be in partnership with Student Life Organization, Inc. We believe in the great work they are doing in Cebu City, and throughout the central part of the Philippines.

SLOI provides educational opportunities to
many physically disabled and financially disadvantaged children, helping them reach their God-given potential.

Your generous giving will help co-founders Ian Rustia and Anne Ruiz, as they faithfully declare and demonstrate God’s love to these precious children and their families.

“I mention this not because I’m requesting a gift, but so that the fruit of your generosity may bring you an abundant reward.”
(Philippians 4:17, TPT)

Would you please give today? If so, please use this link: paypal.me/anaferuiz

Thank you! We pray that you will experience God’s richest blessings as you give freely and cheerfully in Jesus’ name!