We must be a defender against the enemy.
Growing up, it was a
natural fit for me to play sports... I was talented and athletic, so I was
drawn to both football and baseball. I remember my first time playing football;
my team was called the “Redbirds”. I was about 10 years old. Not really knowing
the details to the game itself or really what position I even played, all I
knew was whether we won or lost. It
wasn't until high school that I knew what positions were, or what position I was
good at and wanted to play, and of course it was the Quarterback. As I grew,
both in stature and maturity I became to understand how important it was to
know my role and how to read the defenses. As we can see in the NFL today, the
Quarterbacks like Peyton Manning, Tom Brandy, and Drew Brees have perfected
their positions. These guys are great quarterbacks because they have learned
how to expose the weakness of the opponent’s defense.
Also in high school,
because I was athletic and probably most of all because we were short players,
I had to play defense as well. I played the safety position. I had to learn how
to defend against the offense that would try and expose our weakness as a
defense. I learned this term called, “keeping your head on a swivel”.
This meant that as a defender I had to keep my eyes up and attentive to
whatever was coming my way. I had to be alert at all times to keep myself in
the best position possible to defend whatever the opposing quarterback (enemy)
was going to throw at me. These to roles have taught me a lot thought my life.
But, as I reflect today on them I come to these passages that Paul writes here
in Ephesians 6:10-19:
“In conclusion, be
strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your
strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].”
Here we see the first step is
being united one with the Father, let him have your back, find your
strength in Him.
“Put on God’s whole
armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be
able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of
the devil.”
This armor, is to be ready
for the battle, that we can be ready at all times, be attentive and in the
right position through being consistent in prayer (Phil 4:6).
“For we are not
wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but
against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who
are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of
wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. Therefore put on God’s
complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the
evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand
[firmly in your place].”
This is much like putting
faith and trust in your teammates to do their job. More importantly, we must
know and believe that the Lord will play His part in our lives and (it may not
and often doesn’t look as we want it to). He above everything and everyone is
trustworthy. We must practice and prepare ourselves; through spiritual disciples
that build a defense, which allows us to be ready. Putting on our armor is an
active practice of the will. Everyday putting our faith and trust in Him is an
act.
Stand therefore [hold
your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having
put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing
with God, And having shod your feet in preparation to face the enemy with the
firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good
news] of the Gospel of peace.”
The Hebrew word SHALOM: the
peace, the completeness, and wholeness that is in Christ, he has come, died,
and rose in perfection to pay for our sins and restore us to right relationship
with God. Knowing the truth and not wavering, being committed!
“Lift up over all the
[covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming
missiles of the wicked [one]. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword
that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God. Pray at all times (on every
occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and
entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and
perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated
people).
And [pray] also for
me, that [freedom of] utterance may be given me, that I may open my mouth to
proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news (the Gospel)” (Eph 6:10-19).
So much more then just a game
is this thing we call life. And in this life we are going to have to decide how
we are going to play the game in different seasons we face. But, what remains
is the truth that our Father offers us.
“So be strong and
courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your
God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you”
(Deut 31:6).
In this life and spiritual
journey we are going to face opposition from the biggest enemy of all (Satan)
and just like a quarterback he has been studying us and learning our weaknesses
along the way ready to expose them. We must use hold fast to the Truth
(Word) that comes from the Father and play our part and trust that He will play
His. Be encouraged today friends, Jesus has already won the battle. Being
a defender is a much harder role to play, but as they say, “Defense wins
championships”.
Let’s stick to the game plan
(Bible).
Be blessed!
SHALOM
Jack.
