Gearing up for Combat - The Christian Online Magazine

The Christian Online Magazine -

Have you ever felt like the trial you are going through was never going to end? Maybe you had a problem trying to understand why God would allow this particular trial or test to come your way. Perhaps you even questioned in your heart “Why God”? What have I done to deserve to be tried the way I am being tried?

Does any of this sound familiar to you? If it does dig out your Sword and look at I Peter 4:12 and read with me “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you”.

We know Christ suffered for us in the flesh, so that we could be overcomers through his blood. He took the cruel beating with the cat of nine tails upon his back that we could have her healing needs met and by those 39 stripes we can claim our healing and stand on God’s Word that it has been accomplished. Our healing was promised in Isaiah 53 and the Apostle Peter spoke of it in past tense in I Peter 3:24 when he said “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we being dead to sins, should live into righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed.” So, according to the Apostle Peter we are already healed, we don’t have to wait on our healing, it is done. We might not see it in the natural eye but it does not change God’s Word. I am still walking with a cane from four failed hip surgeries, but according to the Word I am healed even if I can’t see it I know that it is still the Word, so I will believe it until it manifest itself.

I Peter 2:7 declares “That the trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

We must realize that the trial of our faith will make us stronger people of God. It will help us to abstain from the fleshly lust that wars against our soul. When we have stood the test and passed with flying colors, we will know that we are triumphant over the enemy and can withstand the fiery darts he throws our way.

We must be willing to submit ourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake. Even though the trials we are facing may be very difficult with seemingly no end in sight. God will not fail. He will not falter. He will not let us down. He will never leave us or forsake us. He will go with us all the way.

When it seems like the sun will never shine and your tears will never stop, remember “He careth for you” and “He loves you”. You are still the apple of His eye. No! the trial may not go away immediately and you may have to bear the load a while longer, but God has promised the load will never be to heavy that you cannot carry it or the trial so severe you cannot withstand it and with every temptation He will make a way of escape. He is our Rock and our Fortress. We can hide under His wings and let Him shelter us from the storms of life.

It seems so easy to stand for God when everything is going smooth and our lives are without turmoil. At these times it is very easy to say Lord, I will stand. Remember Peter said ”Lord I will never deny you. When the sands of time come our way and the boat we are sailing in sends waves that want to rock us and shipwreck our boat, it is easy to lose faith and fail to pray. It is easy to lay our Bible on the shelf and have a pity party. Friends this is the time we must release our faith, trust in our God and HOLD ON to the unchanging hand of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We must be diligent in our prayer life, our bible study and in our continual praise to the one who died for us. When all else fails PRAISE will overcome fear and doubt. God loves it when His children Praise Him. We must continue to pray, read the word and praise Him whether we feel like it or not. That is where we will gain our victory.

Yes, the trials will always come and sometimes they will seem unbearable, but you and I are chosen vessels of the Lord. We can make it as we walk, live and have our being in Him. He is our shelter in the time of a storm. He is our Rock to run into. He is our everything and because He is, we are more than overcomers through the Blood of Jesus.

Finally, travel with me to Ephesians 5:10-18 - “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye might be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

These scriptures are for us to use today. Let us get ourselves geared up for battle. We are soldiers on the battlefield for the Lord, let’s look, act and talk like it. Don’t give in to defeat! Speak victory! WE WIN. This is true combat but we have the right weapons to combat the enemy with.