The Upper Room Daily Devotional of Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Remain Standing for Saturday, 9 September 2017 - Read Ephesians 6:10-18

The Upper Room Daily Devotional of Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Remain Standing for Saturday, 9 September 2017 - Read Ephesians 6:10-18
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Ephesians 6:10 Finally, grow powerful in union with the Lord, in union with his mighty strength! 11 Use all the armor and weaponry that God provides, so that you will be able to stand against the deceptive tactics of the Adversary. 12 For we are not struggling against human beings, but against the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers governing this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm. 13 So take up every piece of war equipment God provides; so that when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist; and when the battle is won, you will still be standing. 14 Therefore, stand! Have the belt of truth buckled around your waist,[Ephesians 6:14 Isaiah 11:5] put on righteousness for a breastplate,[Ephesians 6:14 Isaiah 59:17] 15 and wear on your feet the readiness that comes from the Good News of shalom.[Ephesians 6:15 Isaiah 52:7] 16 Always carry the shield of trust, with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the Evil One. 17 And take the helmet of deliverance;[Ephesians 6:17 Isaiah 59:17] along with the sword given by the Spirit, that is, the Word of God; 18 as you pray at all times, with all kinds of prayers and requests, in the Spirit, vigilantly and persistently, for all God’s people.
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O LORD, be gracious to us; we wait for you. Be our arm every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble. [Isaiah 33:2 (NRSV)]
Two years ago, after two days of almost cyclone-force winds, I traveled to an activity at one of our churches. While going through a pine forest, I came upon a section where many of the trees were bent over at forty-five-degree angles or had completely fallen. Only a few remained upright. I assumed that given the quality of the land and the weakness of the roots, the trees could not withstand the strong winds. My explanation, although logical, was wrong. I later found out that the wind had not been blowing from its usual direction, and the trees could not resist the force.
Then I thought of my Christian life. I have found myself in a similar situation several times, surprised by the wind’s direction and unprepared to face the storm. Growing in faith and in our relationship with God means becoming aware of our frailty and our need for Jesus Christ’s saving grace. Christ helps us remain standing even in unexpected situations.
The Author: Eduardo Conde (Aveiro, Portugal)
Thought for the Day: In my weakness, Christ is my strength.
Prayer: Gracious God, give us awareness of our frailty and certainty of your providence through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prayer focus: Victims of a natural disaster
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