The News reports are depressing. The pictures of children starving in Gaza are inhumane. The destruction of property and the killing of innocent people in Ukraine and Gaza due to war are inexcusable. The establishment of a whites-only community in Missouri is disgusting. The flood deaths in Texas are beyond belief. The number of senior adults in America living in poverty….we could go on.
Paul writes in Ephesians 6 “This is no weekend war that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish…” (The Message)
We are in the same place that those before us faced. We are dealing with powers that control us: political, economic, and religious. They determine what is legal and illegal. They determine what we will pay for things that meet our needs, and they seek to tell us what GOD wants. They can be forces of good or forces that destroy, abuse, misuse, and kill.
Paul writes in Ephesians 6 (The Message) , “13-18 Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet.”
The news makes us feel so helpless, but Paul reminds us to use every weapon that God has issued. Paul lists the following weapons:
- Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life.
- God’s Word is an indispensable weapon.
- In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters.
- Keep your eyes open.
- Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
What great advice!!! Hang in there!!!
The Curious Pilgrims 