Word of power

Ruth Kennedy February 22, 2024 5 5

Playlists

Add to Favourites

Save for later

Listen to this daily worship

Ephesians 6: 10-17 (NIVUK)

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 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. 13 Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

The Message transliteration of these verses says ‘God’s Word is an indispensable weapon’. The sword of the Spirit that is God’s word.

There isn’t a shield in fencing — just a mask, some protective guards, strategy, agility and of course, your sword. You don’t enter a fencing competition without intending to pick up a sword. It’s both your defence and means of attack and you learn various moves to use it wisely. Practice so you are quicker and faster than others with it. But how is the Bible like this?

The Holy Scriptures describe God’s great grace and plan of redemption, the Word which releases into our lives His deep love and tender care towards us. When we hear it, faith comes, builds, grows. Are these our equivalent fencing moves?

Perhaps it is how we engage with Scripture. As we find ourselves more immersed in reading or listening to the books of the Bible and speaking out the verses which talk of God’s promises, we are practising our moves, becoming sharper. When we align our thinking and lifestyle choices to Scripture we are getting faster and more agile. As we put into action what is written we attack all that is set against God: injustice, discrimination, prejudice, hatred, selfishness, pride.

We can put these verses from Ephesians into action today by taking confidence in Jesus, what He has already done for us as described by Paul. God is strong and he wants you strong. Trust in Him.

We can rely on Jesus to be as He, the Word, says He is.

‘Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power’. Rest in His might and trust His power. Speak it out, even just now! ‘I am strong in the Lord and in His mighty power’. These words are indispensable, we can’t live without them, why would we want to?

Prayer:

Tender Father of our Lord Jesus,

Take my hand and lead me to your word today so I take to heart and pick up the Scriptures that are agile, powerful and life-giving for me and all those I meet.

Let my heart be forged in the furnace of your love so your word is alive in this world through me by your Spirit of Truth.

Open my eyes to see the Word made flesh in the people I meet, to hear it in the songs I sing and the dances of joy I leap into.

Thank you Jesus. Amen.