By Rev. Aidan Moon

Well Equipped

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link.

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.“

-Psalm 28:7 English Standard Version

I never know what will show up on my desk, particularly having small children. In this case, someone dropped by with a gift for one of my kids, a sword and shield. My kids are well equipped for imaginary battles.

Sometimes we forget that our Christian life is a battle – but when we think about it this way, it does make sense of much of the struggle and difficulty. Contrary to what some may say, life does not necessarily get easier when you join God’s side of the fight. In fact, the more we grow in faith, the more we may feel like there are attacks aimed our way.

But, as scripture says elsewhere, the battle is the Lord’s. God equips us for what we need in the fight, not just by giving us what we need, but by actually being our strength and shield. Ephesians 6 tells us that we are to put on the shield of faith, and to bear as our weapon God’s Word, which we know is Jesus. That is, our trust in God and the Word of our God himself are our shield and our strength.

What might this look like for you today? Well, when unwanted thoughts creep into your mind, strike back with God’s Word, with what he says about you. When temptation comes your way, hold on to who you are according to God. When doubt and fear make you wonder if God is really your God, and your circumstances make you worn and beaten down, trust in the promise that he will never leave you or forsake you. And when you are weary in the fight, don’t hesitate to give thanks in song, knowing that even when you don’t feel you have the strength, God is your strength. This isn’t an imaginary battle – it is a real one. But you don’t fight it alone. God fights for you.

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado