"O Lord my God, in You do I take refuge ... deliver me" (Psalm 7:1).
The pits yawn on either side of me as I tread this narrow path with You. Precipices steeply beckon. When I feel misunderstood or judged unfairly, will I fall into despair, anger, resentment, or self-pity? Or will I plunge into self-righteousness, pride, and judgment? Protect me from them both! You walk this narrow road in complete humility and absolute love. Keep me close to You, Lord, or I am utterly lost!
Showing posts with label spiritual warfare. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spiritual warfare. Show all posts
Friday, February 05, 2010
Friday, January 11, 2008
Having Done All
… and having done all, to stand. (Eph. 6:13b)
What is the “all” that I must do before I “stand”? I pray, Holy Spirit, that You would please give me the insight You desire me to have for today, for myself and for my family.
This verse uses the same Greek word, katergazomai, which is translated “done” in Eph. 6:1, and translated “work out” in Php. 2:12. It means to work fully, that is, accomplish; by implication to finish, fashion: - cause, do (deed), perform, work (out) (Strongs). It seems to be along the same lines as Eph. 6:10-13:
Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ). [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight. (Php 2:12-13 AMP)
So, by working out my own salvation--in God’s strength seeking to please Him in everything I do--I am actually doing spiritual warfare against the “spirit forces of wickedness” (Eph. 6:12). I am actually becoming an overcomer (Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible, entry for Eph. 6:13). The battle is not to go find the evil spirits and do battle with them directly. That is something the Lord must, and will, do on my behalf. But by obeying God with fear and trembling, in His strength, I am overcoming the evil one’s attacks against me.
Lord, work in me both to will and to work for Your good pleasure, satisfaction, and delight. Put Your energy in me, and help me not to try to do it on my own steam. Create in me both the power and the desire to cooperate with You as You fully complete the work You have begun in me. Transform me on the inside into Your very image. Align my will, thoughts, and emotions with Yours. Your work is effectual and mighty in me. Show forth Yourself within me in power.
And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you. (Php 1:6 AMP)
(If you want to read more about this, please see related post, "Standing.")
What is the “all” that I must do before I “stand”? I pray, Holy Spirit, that You would please give me the insight You desire me to have for today, for myself and for my family.
This verse uses the same Greek word, katergazomai, which is translated “done” in Eph. 6:1, and translated “work out” in Php. 2:12. It means to work fully, that is, accomplish; by implication to finish, fashion: - cause, do (deed), perform, work (out) (Strongs). It seems to be along the same lines as Eph. 6:10-13:
Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ). [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight. (Php 2:12-13 AMP)
So, by working out my own salvation--in God’s strength seeking to please Him in everything I do--I am actually doing spiritual warfare against the “spirit forces of wickedness” (Eph. 6:12). I am actually becoming an overcomer (Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible, entry for Eph. 6:13). The battle is not to go find the evil spirits and do battle with them directly. That is something the Lord must, and will, do on my behalf. But by obeying God with fear and trembling, in His strength, I am overcoming the evil one’s attacks against me.
Lord, work in me both to will and to work for Your good pleasure, satisfaction, and delight. Put Your energy in me, and help me not to try to do it on my own steam. Create in me both the power and the desire to cooperate with You as You fully complete the work You have begun in me. Transform me on the inside into Your very image. Align my will, thoughts, and emotions with Yours. Your work is effectual and mighty in me. Show forth Yourself within me in power.
And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you. (Php 1:6 AMP)
(If you want to read more about this, please see related post, "Standing.")
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