Today's Reading:O.T. - 1 Kings 20 - 22
N.T. - Ephesians 6
Focus Verses: Eph. 6:11-12
11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Insight:
The struggle for good and evil has a spiritual, cosmic dimension. Paul reminds us that the struggles of humanity are part of a much larger picture. There is a spiritual dimension to the problems we face. To address difficult life issues effectively, we must recognize the spiritual roots and principles at work: hate, greed, malice, dehumanization, fear, rage, envy, pride, lust for power and possesions, self-gratification, godlessness, rebellion, blasphemy. To be truly concerned about spiritual issues in our world, we must also recognize and counter the problems and systems that grow out of spiritual depravity: social injustice, war, pornography, poverty, starvation, disease, political corruption, abuse, discrimination, human trafficking, and, sadly, so much more. Our struggle is not merely with flesh and blood; it is against spiritual forces. Neither is our struggle merely spiritual; it is against the systems and evils brought on by dark powers at work in our world.
Response and Action:
I must recognize the spiritual root of all the evil and human suffering in my world. I must recognize the very practical and physical ways that spiritual evil is corrupting human affairs in my world. I must put on the full armor of God -- his truth, his counsel, his word, his righteousness, his peace, and his Spirit -- if I am to stand firm in the fight against evil. As a follower of Jesus, in the strength of the Lord, I need to oppose evil and stand up for what is right.
Our Father, who fills the heavens, holy is your name. I long to see your Kingdom come to earth -- your will lived out on earth as it is in heaven. Strengthen me, protect me, and help me to stand firm in the face of evil. Help me to raise my voice, give my energy, and exercise my abilities as a force for truth and good against those powers of evil that are destroying the lives of so many in our world. Amen.
Proverbs: 22:9
"A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor."
Resources:
Good News About Injustice: A Witness of Courage in a Hurting World
by Gary A. Haugen
