Observation: At the close of this beautiful letter (which is really more of a sermon) Paul reminds listeners they need to put on spiritual armor from God, to defend themselves from evil. The armor, and the weapons described, are not physical but spiritual. the belt of truth. The breastplate of righteousness. Shoes of readiness to share good news. The shield of faith. the helmet of salvation. The sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. Just as the weapons and armor are not physical, neither is the foe. It needs to be said again and again: OUR ENEMY IS NOT FLESH AND BLOOD. It is systemic and spiritual evil: the principalities and powers. This enemy is not any one person, but rather uses people, and the systems of power people establish, to harm us and the world God loves.
Application: Whew, did I ever need to read these words today. It's been a very eventful few days.
Over the weekend we were praying for a man in our church who had a very serious head injury.
On Monday, I attended a continuing education event where one presenter, in very strong terms, reminded us that speaking out against specific evils in the world is part of preaching the Gospel. Another presenter discussed ways to understand and preach to communities experiencing collective trauma.
This morning, I showed up to a County Commissioner meeting with our friends and allies at Benzie Faith in Action. We used public comment time to speak up for increased public funds for affordable housing. The testimony was honest, a little raw, and very powerful.
We were followed by a woman (not connected with our group) who was literally shaking with anger. She shared some of the hateful and profane partisan language used by demonstrators, both verbal and in print, on bumper stickers and signs visible to children, at a recent parade right here in our county. I was shocked by her words, but even more so by the report itself.
I end this last few days with a profound sense that I have been equipped and sustained by God, and that together, we have been doing battle. Not against any party or person, but against the evil behind it all: an evil that has been breaking spirits and traumatizing communities. An evil that would love nothing better than for us to turn on our flesh-and-blood neighbors, and take our eyes off the larger game it is playing. An evil that deals death in our communities and in our world.
An evil that was defeated--completely and conclusively--in the cross of Jesus Christ.
An evil which turns tail and runs at the presence of the Risen Lord Jesus,
in whose name we are baptized.
Our spirits are equipped and armed for these times. In the word of God, we have a sure defense from all the hatred, despair, anxiety, fear and apathy surrounding us.
It cannot hurt us permanently. It will not win. It has already been defeated.
Though hordes of devils fill the land
all threat'ning to devour us,
we tremble not, unmoved we stand;
they cannot overpow'r us.
This world's prince may rage,
in fierce war engage.
He is doomed to fail;
God's judgment must prevail!
One little word subdues him.
God's Word forever shall abide,
no thanks to foes, who fear it;
for God himself fights by our side
with weapons of the Spirit.
If they take our house,
goods, fame, child, or spouse,
wrench our life away,
they cannot win the day.
The kingdom's ours forever!
-Martin Luther
Prayer: Lord, Thank you for defending me on all sides from the powers and principalities that seek to harm me and my neighbors. Help me to be confident in your defense and boldly preach your Gospel to all people.
