Be Strong and Courageous, pt II

Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.”

The last time we wrote about being strong and how it’s a choice. Today, we’ll look at where that strength comes from. Ephesians 6:10 says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.”
We draw upon God’s strength. We pray for it and trust that He will provide. We may not feel it, but trust that He will provide. I Corinthians 10:18 says He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what He will bear. We may feel overwhelmed. However, He will provide enough strength to bring us through.
The Ephesians passage further says we gain God’s strength by putting on His armor. Verse 14 says we are to have a foundation of truth. This is the bible. We are to have a regular intake of it for strength.
Verse 14 also says we are to put on the breast plate of righteousness. This covers our hearts. Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard our hearts with all diligence, for from it comes the springs of life. We shouldn’t entertain feelings of greed, vengeance or lust. Let righteousness reign in our hearts. Also, the devil will accuse us for our mistakes. We have been forgiven and made righteous. Ignore him.
Verse 15 of Ephesians 6 says to put on the shoes of the gospel. As we go through our day, we bring the gospel where we go. We should be a blessing to those we encounter. Hopefully we will have an opportunity to share.
Verse 16 says to take up the shield of faith. We will sense doubts and temptations. We ignore them by faith. We trust that God has got us. Verse 17 says to put on the helmet of salvation. If we’ve been saved, let our minds soak in that. Put off doubts. We are on a wonderful walk that will lead us into eternity.
Verse 17 says to take up the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. We are to apply the bible to our circumstances. Trust Him to follow through on His promises. Verse 18 finishes by telling us to pray.
God will provide what we need for strength. We participate with Him by all that’s listed in the Ephesian passage.
Lord, thanks that You provide what we need. Help us to draw upon it.