There I stand. In the middle of the battlefield. I can see the enemy coming strait at me, taunting me as they push toward me. Notching their arrows as they prepare to fire. Unsheathing their swords in hopes to cut me down. I stand, frozen, while I watch and wait for the impending attack. It’s the only thing I can see. Like a horse wearing blinders, I can only see the enemy coming strait at me. I feel…frozen. Afraid. Anxious. Not knowing where to run or what to do…
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Have you ever been in a situation that makes you feel this way? Like you’re on a battle field, watching the war coming right at you? A scary, life altering situation. A painful situation. Frustrating and angry situation. I’m sure we all have at one time or another. Or maybe you’re like me, where these situations more often then not take place in the battle field of your mind. Anxiety, fear, betrayal, pain, a whole list of what if’s, problem after problem, hurtful words that people have spoken to you that you’ve let stay with you year after year… These things having been so deeply engrained in us that we feel we have no option but to just stand there and wait for the attack. Accepting our fate.
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I have spent years on this battlefield. Too many years.
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As I grow in Christ, He’s teaching me, that I have hands, I can take off those blinders and I can see. And if I only look down, I’ll see that covering me is the full armor of God that He has equipped me with. In one hand I hold a shield, to protect me against attack. In my other hand I hold a sword. A sword that will strike with deadly precision because it is anointed by God himself. And if I turn ever so slightly, I will be able to see the Holy Spirit beside me. If I turn even more I would see the charge of angels filling the rest of the field behind me.
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See, the enemy is a liar. He taunts and flaunts and puts on a really great show, distracting us in order to keep us in a state of frozen fear. Sometimes his arrows meet their targets and wound us, yes, but if we remember how equipped we are, we only need to adjust our armor and our shield and stand our ground. We swing our swords with words of His Truth. Combating the lies of the enemy who tries to defeat us. The battle is not ours, but His. His word says He’s already won! His word says, He will fight for us. We only need to stand!
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Friends, the next time you stand on this battlefield, remember, you are not alone. You have the Lord and His hosts of angels with you. He has equipped you with His holy armor to stand.
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Take off the blinders, fix your armor, and swing that sword of truth. Be courageous dear friend. We do not have to stand frozen in fear, stand with your head held high because you are in the army of the Lord who does not lose!
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“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,”
Ephesians 6:10-18
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:14