All The Help You Can Get

ByJim Stephens

Reading: Ephesians 6; Proverbs 21

13 Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. 14 Truth, righteousness, 15 peace, 16 faith, 17 and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. 18 In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. (Ephesians 6:13-18 MSG)

Reading from both The Message and the New Living Translation this year has been so helpful to me! I’m taking a fresh look at the Gospels and Paul’s Letters and seeing fresh insights in many familiar sections of scripture. I thought of the old familiar reading of these verses, “Put on the full armor of God.” I’ve heard it taught, I’ve taught it, I’ve assumed an understanding of it. That’s OK.

But this morning this is what I saw in these verses:

  • Get ready and stay ready for whatever comes along. Life has its challenges and surprises, and what’s the point of faith if challenges blow us out of the water?
  • No matter how long I’ve been a believer and how experienced I am, I need all the help I can get. No “Lone Ranger” stuff and don’t put it on “Auto-Pilot.”
  • God has provided the following arsenal of armor and weaponry: Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, God’s word, and prayer. Don’t leave home without them. Use them. (And learn to use them the way God intended.)
  • Prayer? Pray long and hard. It’s not so much about learning the finer points of “prayer doctrines and details.” I simply must pray more, pray longer, pray more fervently, pray about more things.
  • That’s pretty much the deal.

Prayer:

Father, Please help me not to attempt to face life each day with less than “all the help I can get.” I purpose to be more intentional in using the resources you have provided in the way you intended them to be used. I purpose not to be “prayerless.” Amen.