You're In the Army Now

Ephesians 6:10-18 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may 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 armour 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;"

You're in the army now!

I'm not sure where I first heard that slogan or even when, but a quick Google of it produces an old song, an old movie, and old memories of the shock of being drafted. I know that each and every day I'll face the wiles of the devil. Once I see a young convert rise to his feet after accepting Jesus Christ as Lord, I feel like saying "you're in the army now", because I know the reality is that we engage in spiritual warfare all day, every day. Some battles are lost, some are won, but all battles are designed to bring you closer to the Lord. Take note that when you were out of the will of God, Satan did not bother you too much. He didn't have to. He had you right where he wanted you. But now, that you're in the perfect will of God, it seems like battles are around ever corner, around ever bend. Now, the fight is on. But don't let this discourage you, beloved, you are on the winning side! I've read the last book, I've read the last chapter...if you are saved, you are on the winning side.

Take heart, children, Paul encourages us to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. And He is mighty! Like the apostle Paul said in Romans 8:31, "if God be for us, who can be against us?" The same God who divided the Red Sea, the same God who destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah by fire and brimstone, the same God who delivered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace, that same God who defeated death and the devil at Calvary said He'd never leave you nor forsake you! He's God of the mountains and He's still God in the valleys. In the heat of battle, remember Exodus 15:3, "The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name." And also sketch this on your heart, "greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." (1 John 4:4).

When David prepared to war with Goliath, Saul tried to fortify David with his own armor, helmet, coat of mail, and sword. But David said, "I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them." The armor, helmet, coat of mail, and sword weren't proven to David, but what was proven to him was the power of the Lord.

Verse 11 says put on the whole armour of God. Put it on, because it has been proven. Put it all on, because it will help you stand against the enemy. It will help you against the wiles of the devil. Who? The enemy - the devil. We don't fight each other, but against principalities and powers and the rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness. Remember who the enemy is. He is slick and cunning and he's like a roaring lion, walking about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). And it's you he wants to devour, to lead astray, to blind. It's you he's after. But God wants you to stand. He doesn't want you to lie down. He doesn't want you to run. He wants you to stand. He wants you to be strong. He wants you to put on the whole armor. He wants you to, so that you may stand. He wants you. Enlist now.