In November of 2020, my family went to North Carolina for Thanksgiving and some of us hiked to the summit of Charley Bunion from Newfound Gap on the Appalachian Trail. The hike covers eight miles [round trip] and takes about four+ hours to hike [approx. elevation 1886 ft]. Hiking for pleasure involves discovering new sights and experiences. We had never hiked this trail before, so I had no idea what to expect on the adventure.
I prepared what I would take on this afternoon hike and thought I was ready with my sneakers, hat, coat, gloves, and a small backpack with snacks and water. But, I wasn’t ready, because my shoes did not have a good tread on the soles and the higher we climbed the the rocky path the more difficult it was to gain solid footing as toward the top we encountered a bit of snow and ice. Then, there was the biggest challenge of all—descending. Praise God my son, Joe, walked in front of me and kept reaching back for my hand giving me stability in the precarious places. Note to self: buy hiking shoes!
In our passage today, while in chains for preaching Truth, the Apostle Paul shares about our need to adequately spiritually prepare for the challenges that accompany the hike of faith. Paul reminds us the righteous “wrestle” an invisible adversary and his evil army for control of our lives. This evil enemy does not want Christ’s army of believers to ascend in Truth or live for God. The strategies of the devil are to keep us living for ourselves; rather than living to produce the character fruit and nature of Christ. Why? Because when we emulate the character of Christ, we have the power to advance the work of our King Jesus and his Kingdom. In the Light of Christ, we push the darkness back.
We cannot forget this very important aspect of the believer’s journey in Christ, because if we think hiking through the fath-life will be easy, we have not read the Word of God and have dismissed the enemy of our souls. Our hearts, minds, emotions, bodies are all involved in a spiritual wrestling match. The devil is fierce and advances by causing us to fear—spirit of fear is never from God (2 Tim 1:7). But, Christ leads the way and reaches back for our hands to stabilize us as we hike the narrow path by faith (Mat 7:13-14).
If we are going to ascend in the holy life with God, we are going to need to prepare for the struggle. Now, the spiritual terrain is strewn with challenges the enemy has designed especially for each one of us. Satan uses our weaknesses, limitations, immaturity, and even our lack of preparation to attack and disrupt our footing and slow our progress hoping we lose our motivation to press on. But our spiritual shoes of peace with God provides great power for perseverance—grace! It is hard to battle an enemy you cannot see. Yet, God has faithfully made a Way to prepare us in order to be victorious in our spiritual growth in Christ and to proclaim Jesus as our King! Raise the banner [a symbol of God’s presence, protection, and victory] for Jesus, today, and be the Light that pushes back the darkness.
Ephesians 6:10-20 NLT The Whole Armor of God
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we [you] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared [to preach peace with God]. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil [evil one]. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere [those being made holy].
19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. 20 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.
Prayer: Lord, we prepare ourselves, commit our lives to you, and ask for the power to be victorious for the Kingdom, today. We submit to you and resist the adversary. You have made special armor to fit each of us as your sons and daughters who champion Truth. In Jesus’ name.