I took comfort in my Father and let myself rest in His arms. Last week I came to the realization that it is no longer my season of rest. I have been hiding in God's shadow, as we are invited to do as His children, seeking the solace and protection it offered. But now it is time to take my place at His side.
You have probably heard Ephesians 6:10-18 before. Even if you already know it, read it right now. Read out loud. Read it in a voice that commands authority. Read it like a battle cry as you survey your armor.
Verses 17-18 (NIV)
"17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 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."
What do you do with a sword?
YOU FIGHT.
So when Paul says 'pray in the Spirit' he is telling you to fight. Fight for God's people. Attack the enemy. Don't wait for him to make his move.
The enemy found me hiding in the shadow of God and I cowered there, hoping that he would just quit taunting me if I ignored him long enough. That will not cut it anymore.
A friend of mine said that as she was praying this week she kept hearing Satan interrupting. "The worst part was that I was starting to believe it!" She told me. She had been trying to ignore him, hoping that he would just quit but when she felt herself letting him get to her, she told God to hang on for a moment and then she let Satan have it!
Recently as I was walking through a difficult struggle with another friend of mine, I was frustrated by the fact that I could not help them to see what I thought should have been as clear as a Los Angeles sky. And I realized that instead of jumping in to defend my clearly hurting sibling I was becoming angry at them for not understanding. The more I spoke, the more my pride bubbled up within me, telling me to simply state that they were being foolish (don't do that, it never helps to win someone over)
Verse 12 (NIV)
"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."
In a moment of clarity I stood up and began telling Satan that he better start running. Because I'm ready to do battle. And I'm not just fighting for myself or for the sake of the kingdom. I am fighting for the lives of the people that I love! I am picking up my sword, standing next to Jesus and I am not going to leave His side for a single second. And he better dang well be afraid because, now I know that I can't lose! I will stumble and fall, and mess up a billion times but it is impossible for me to be defeated! I fight in the army of the team that won 2000 years ago.
My battle cry will be heard to the ends of the earth and the people will know that Erin Michele Gabbard is being taught to wield the sword of the spirit by the God that created the Universe.
I'm not pushing back the darkness, or standing firm in what I believe. I am charging forward to cut the enemy down. To chop off the hand that is wrapped around my brothers' and sisters' throats!
Who is with me? Who is ready to charge into a battle and fight with the armor and weapons we were given?
When you encounter a brother or sister who is going through a difficult time this week, don't just tell them that you're praying for them. Tell them that you are FIGHTING for them. Let them know that you are ready to stand in front of their wounded selves and fend off anything evil that comes their way.
But do not forget even as we are called to be warriors, we never fight alone. We fight with The God of the Angel Armies.
I love you all and I am fighting for you.
EMG
