The Christian Soldier's Charge

Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Ephesians 6:10

My husband's friend tells a story from his younger years when he was challenged to a fight. As he and one of his friends drove into a small town late one evening, they were met with calls and challenges from some young Amish boys who had congregated at the local grain elevator. They continued on to their home where he told his father what had just happened. Chuckling to themselves the boys crawled in the back seat while their father got in the driver's seat. As the Amish boys saw the car approaching once again, they began to shout and run toward the car. As the father passed by he slowed the car and rolled down his window. In his husky voice he said in Pennsylvania Dutch, "Vella Fechta." In English, "Let's fight." That's all the Amish boys needed to hear and they scattered! His father's presence made all the difference.

In Ephesians 6 we read the familiar passage regarding the armor of God. However, before Paul describes the armor, he gives every Christian soldier this charge: "Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power." We can put on the armor but it won't do us any good until we first and foremost, "be strong in the Lord". How do we go about this? We must be filled with God, saved and surrendered, empty of self. We must acknowledge that the Lord is the source of our strength. We must be bound up in Him. His mighty power is the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead; Paul says he wants us to know that same power! How ironic that to be strong in the Lord is to be dependent on Him.

Are we depending on our Father or are we trying to fight this battle all by ourselves? When our "enemies" surround and challenge us, when fear rears its ugly head, when the uncertainties of life roll in one after the other, will we let Him behind the driver's seat? It is only when we hide behind the Father that we experience strength and victory. Submitting to Him as Commander in the spiritual battles of life places us in the best position possible for what's next- carrying out the rest of the battle plan.

Lord, forgive me when I grow impatient, irritable or attempt to fight the battles in my life in my own strength. I want You to take over so I'm giving up the driver's seat to You. You know my situation and I want to depend on You. Rise up and scatter my enemies- everything that sets itself up against You. Amen.

Jocelyn Hamsher