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Ephesians 6:10 (KJV) – “Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”

Many times in the Bible, God is referred to as a Rock. Psalms 62:2 (KJV) – “He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defence: I shall not be moved.”

Rock is used to refer to something strong, reliable, or hard.

Let’s examine what strong, reliable, and hard mean.

The Dictionary defines strong as the ability to withstand force, pressure, or wear.

The strength of an object is as good as its weakest spot. Everything and every created being have a weak point. That is why you cannot be strong in yourself. This is because we are neither self-sufficient nor independent. We have to depend on God. God has no weak point. Genesis 8:14 (KJV) – “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Matthew 19:26 (KJV) – “But Jesus beheld them, and said to them, with men this is impossible but with God all things are possible.” Philippians 4:13 (KJ21) – “I can do all things through Christ Who strengtheneth me.”

Isaiah 26:4 (KJV) – “Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.” The word everlasting strength means that there is temporal strength. God’s vitality is the only one that is enduring.”

Isaiah 26:5 (KJV) – “For He bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city He layeth it low; He layeth it low even to the ground; He bringeth it even to the dust.” (God can bring down the most magnificent people and things. He can exterminate them that no one will ever realize that they ever existed).

Reliable means, always good in quality or performance; able to be trusted

God is reliable. Let’s examine the reliability of God:

Numbers 23:19 (KJV) – “God is not a man that He should lie; neither the son of man that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? Or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?” This text means that men lie. Not only does it mean that God does not lie, it means that He cannot lie.

Psalm 138:2 (KJV) – “For Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name.”

One name of God is El Shaddai, which means God almighty or all-powerful. God has magnified His Word above the name El Shaddai, too. God’s Word is surer than the sun’s rising and setting.

The Dictionary’s definition of hard – To be solid or firm.

Firm means something that is not swayed. Any created thing can be shaken. Mountains are among the most stable physical elements that we know on earth. However, with faith, they cannot only be shaken, but we can also move them (Matthew 17:20). God alone cannot be shaken.

The Lord desires to make you strong, reliable, and hard if you trust Him. Psalm 21:7 (KJV) – “For the king trusteth in the Lord, and through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved.” David was strong in the Lord. As a small lad, he brought down the most feared warrior of the Philistine army, causing the entire battalion to take off.

How can I be strong in the Lord?

One must wear God’s full armor to be strong in the Lord. The armor of God will facilitate us to rise against the devil’s stratagems (Ephesians 6:11).

What is the purpose of the whole armor of God?

Ephesians 6:12 (KJV) – “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

Ephesians 6:13 (KJV) – “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

What does having done all to stand mean? It means to be steady and never give up. Have perseverance, no matter how long the battle ensues. Don’t become complacent and grow weary in the fight.

Definition of whole – Something that is complete.

Synonyms for whole – Complete, full, undivided, unreduced, intact, and in one piece. All these terms mean each segment of the armor of God depends on the other. No component can properly function without the other. We can liken this to the human body, how different parts work together to perform one function.

What does the armor of God comprise of?

1. The belt of Truth

Ephesians 6:14 (KJV) – “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.”

Girt means to encircle a part of the body with a belt or band. It also means to strengthen something. Another meaning is to prepare oneself for something challenging.

The loins are the center of procreative power. The loins are always needful of covering (Job 31:20).

Whenever Roman soldiers moved out of the barracks to the rack where they kept the equipment, the belt was the first thing they had to wear. This means to know the truth first.

We need to take our time in studying truth. The more your mind is covered with truth, the more integrity you possess (as a man thinks, so is he, Proverbs 23:7). Your daily exposure to Biblical doctrine and your daily absorption of Biblical teaching are indispensable in girding your loins with truth.

Since the loins are a center for procreative power, you must produce the fruit that the Holy Spirit has instilled in you; you must first gird your loins with truth. Therefore, how you deal with life and all its aspects, i.e., your spiritual life, social life, health, occupation, and business, should all center upon biblical doctrine taught by the Holy Spirit to avoid misconception of the Word of God.

The leading reason the Holy Spirit should guide our Bible study is that the Holy Ghost is the Spirit of truth. John 16:13 (KJV) – “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.”

2. The breastplate of righteousness

In warfare, a harness system is on the belt, fastening the breastplate in position. The breastplate appears second because it requires the belt to hold it in place. This means you must know the truth and embrace it in your heart to understand what righteousness demands. How do you embrace the truth? By accepting Jesus. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).

Breastplate dictionary’s definition – is a defensive armor worn over the torso/chest area to preserve it from injury.

What lies in the chest? The heart. Therefore cover/protect your heart with righteousness. Proverbs 4:23 (KJV) – “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” You need to protect your heart because everything comes from the heart first. All actions performed by the body are first preconceived in mind.

Matthew 6:21 (KJV) – “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Therefore, let your heart treasure righteousness and do things God’s way. If you treasure righteousness in your mind, you will reduce quarrels and disputes with people as Matthew 12:34 (KJV) says, “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”

3. The shoes of the preparation of the gospel of peace

Ephesians 6:15 (KJV) – “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.”

A shoe protects your feet from dirt, from numerous ground perils, i.e., getting pricked by thorns, shattered glasses, and blisters.

The shoes cause you to withstand the enemy with firm-footed stability and readiness only developed by the gospel.

The gospel means the good message that Jesus brought. It is the magnificent news of salvation and victory over sin and death that God provides to everyone through the person and finished work of Jesus Christ. The gospel is the sum total of the saving truth. The gospel of Jesus Christ brings peace.

Wherever you go, peace should guide you. Matthew 5:9 (KJV) – “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

The feet are in contact with the ground. Our foundation should be in line with the gospel of Jesus Christ, ready to resist the devil’s wiles. Let peace with God arm you with confidence and resolution to proceed forward in all the lines of duty. However rugged and difficult the road is, God calls you to pass.

4. The shield of faith

Ephesians 6:16 (KJV) – “above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”

Above all means more than everything.

To shield means to protect from danger, risk, or undesirable experiences.

You must have your cover of faith because faith gets tested a lot. You must have faith and believe that God will do as He says and appreciate what He has already done. In this flawed world, the wicked one will always throw missiles at us. The enemy will throw darts at you to test the truth you gird yourself with, the righteousness you possess, and if you believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Therefore, you need a shield of faith to block all attacks from evil.

What is faith?

Hebrews 11:1 (KJV) – “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

How to get the shield of faith:

Romans 10:17 (KJV) – “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

The following are examples of tests that may test your faith:

• You are a widow with five children and have an enormous debt to pay. Will you still return the tithe?
• You are 38 and not married. People are ridiculing you and putting you under pressure for not having children. Will you still preserve your celibacy?
• You are a cabinet minister, and the president gives you an illegal execution deal. If you obey, you receive a glorious reward from him, but your life is threatened if you disobey. Who will you obey, God or the president?
• You are about to graduate, and your final exam is on Sabbath. You have only one paper left. Will you choose to do the exam or keep the Sabbath day holy?
• People have accused you at work, and the bosses require you to swear (remember the Bible warns against swearing, Matthew 5:34-37) or suffer dire consequences (like losing your job or paying a heavy fine). What will you choose?

Hebrews 11:24 (KJV) – “24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.”

Moses refused to be of the earthly royal family. He rejected the majesty and glory of being in the king’s family. He chose to suffer affliction with the lowest people in society (slaves) than enjoy the pleasures of sin, which are seasonal.

Hebrews 11:27 (KJV) – “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.” (Few people can make such a decision)

5. The Helmet of salvation

Ephesians 6:17 (KJV) – “And take the helmet of salvation,”

A Helmet is a hard or padded hat to prevent your head from injury. A helmet complements the skull in protecting the human brain.

This means that you need to protect your mind.

How can you protect your mind?

Your salvation should be at the forefront of your mind. It will keep your priorities in order.

Philippians 4:8 (KJV) – “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Psalms 1:1-2 (KJV) – “¹ Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. ² But his delight is in the Law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.”

It may seem hard to think about these things if you are not used to them, but the grace of Jesus will enable you to do it with your full submission to Him.

6. The sword of the spirit

Ephesians 6:17 (KJV)- “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”

This is the only offensive weapon in the armor of God mentioned.

The sword of the spirit is the Word of God. Use it as Jesus used it in all his 3 temptations. (Matthew 4:1-11) Jesus defeated the devil by telling him, “It is written,” “it is written,” and “it is written.”

“If the Bible were studied as it should be, men would become strong in intellect. The subjects treated upon in the Word of God, the dignified simplicity of its utterance, the noble themes which it presents to the mind, develop faculties in man which cannot otherwise be developed. In the Bible, a boundless field is opened for the imagination. The student will come from a contemplation of its grand themes, from association with its lofty imagery, more pure and elevated in thought and feeling than if he had spent the time in reading any work of mere human origin, to say nothing of those of a trifling character. Youthful minds fail to reach their noblest development when they neglect the highest source of wisdom—the Word of God. The reason why we have so few men of good mind, of stability and solid worth, is that God is not feared, God is not loved, the principles of religion are not carried out in the life as they should be.” — Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, 126, 1890. (Fundamentals of Christian Education, 165.), Ellen G. White.

In the above quotation by Ellen G. White, we are shown the value of spending time studying God’s Word. In other words, we are shown the value of spending time with God. The essence of the Sabbath is based on spending time with God. When you spend time with someone you value, you do away with all distractions. God expects us to do more than that to Him. Time spent with God on the Sabbath will yield abundant blessings. Time spent with God on other days of the week will yield additional blessings.

Finally,

Ephesians 6:18 – “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

Being watchful – Never slumber even a single minute on your spiritual journey.

Matthew 25:13 (KJV) – “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

GOD BLESS YOU!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I put my trust in You, my Rock and my Strength. Help me to stand firm in faith, clothed in Your armor, relying on Your everlasting power. Strengthen me to withstand trials, to walk in righteousness, and to share the peace of the gospel. Let my faith in You be unwavering, for You are my defense, and in You, I shall not be moved. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Activity

• Gather small stones and a large rock (or anything that can replace them).
• Place a piece of paper on top of the small stones and try to balance an object on it—it will be unstable.
• Now place the same object on the large rock—it will remain steady.
• Discuss: What does this teach about being strong in the Lord? How does relying on God make us firm and unshakable in life’s challenges?
• Reflect on Isaiah 26:4 and commit to trusting in God’s everlasting strength.
• Share this message with someone.

Author: Mark Alex   

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