WEEK 9 – I AM STRONG IN THE LORD
(Ephesians 6:10)
Goliath was massive – over nine feet tall with armor that weighed over 120 pounds! The skilled warriors of Israel trembled in his presence. Of course, to fight such a formidable opponent, one must don the correct armor. So Saul, David’s mentor and also a skilled warrior, dressed David in his armor. It had proven successful for Saul, and so surely it would help keep David safe.
But instead of wearing the armor of experienced warriors, David chose a staff, a few rocks and a sling shot. Most would have predicted his defeat. Who goes into a battle against a giant with such rubbish? Who enters a fight with such non-traditional garb? David and the Christians, apparently.
Our weapons of warfare are not like the world’s. We do not fight our battles with guns or rifles. We don’t protect ourselves with expensive security systems, and we don’t change the world through petitions and debates. We understand our battle is not against flesh and blood, it is not against would-be robbers, terrorists, or political viewpoints. Our battle is against darkness, evil, principalities. Our fight is against Satan and all of his angels.
Since our true opponent is not typical, neither are our weapons of warfare. Our weapons are not weapons of might and strength, but they are weapons wielded best when we know our identity in Christ. Our protective armor is given to us by our Father – truth, righteousness, faith, peace, salvation. Our weapons are prayer and the Word of God. With our protective armor securely fastened, we enter battles on our knees, in prayer, declaring the Word of God, knowing our enemy has already been defeated. We enter knowing the battle is rigged, and we are victorious! We enter knowing greater is He that is in us than He that it is in the world.
Friends, the battle rages every minute of every day. Like Goliath, our enemy attempts to intimidate us with lies, accusations, and fear. But we are donned in an unusual armor, like young David. We are armed in truth, righteousness, faith, peace, and salvation. We have prayer and the word as our weapons and we will like David, defeat our enemy. We win!
Daily Prayer for Week 9:
Lord, I thank you that you have made me strong in you and in your mighty power. I daily put on the full armor of God, so that I may stand against the devil’s schemes. Thank you for the gift of discernment, that I may recognize that I do not war against flesh and blood, but against power of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. With your power within me, I will be able to stand my ground and after everything, I will stand firmly. (Based on Ephesians 6:10-12)
MEMORIZE – ACTUALIZE – PERSONALIZE
Memorize it – meditate on the scripture, quietly repeating it over and over again throughout your day until you can declare it without reading it.
Actualize it – make the scripture real to you. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a fresh revelation of its meaning; how can you apply this to your daily life? Then journal what you feel the Holy Spirit is speaking.
Personalize it – Rewrite the scripture using personal pronouns such as “me” or “I”. For instance: “I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus” Remind yourself that the scripture applies to you personally.
Week 9 Memory Verses
Focus: I Am Strong in the Lord
(Unless otherwise noted, all scripture are NIV)
DAY 1 MEMORIZE: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For 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.” (Ephesians 6:10 – 12)
WEEK 9 DAY 2 MEMORIZE: “Therefore 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.” (Ephesians 6:13 – 15)
WEEK 9 DAY 3 MEMORIZE: “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us spreads and makes evident everywhere the sweet fragrance of the knowledge of Him.” (II Corinthians 2:14 AMP)
WEEK 9 DAY 4 MEMORIZE: “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:16 – 17)
WEEK 9 DAY 5 MEMORIZE: “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6:18)