Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13
Very few people like the idea of going into a battle. Fewer yet prepare themselves for any type of battle. They sit back believing that they will never have to go into any battle or that the battle will never come to them.
Others are naive or will turn coward and run away fleeing any type of battle. Some will go into battle, but will lack the strength or wisdom in how to fight the battle.
As Paul closes out his first letter to the Corinthian church he gives them some guidelines to live by and be ready for. He tells them to be on their guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous and be strong.
Any soldier who is in a war zone must always be on his guard. He never knows when, where or how the enemy will attempt to attack. He needs to use all of his senses to remain alert.
Every believer is a soldier in God’s army. There is a battle going on for his soul and the all the souls of every other person. All of his senses, along with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, must be used to keep him alert and on guard as to what the enemy is trying to do.
Along with being alert, all throughout the bible believers are told to have faith, be courageous and be strong.
The faith is in God’s word, abilities and strength. The courage is that God is on his side and as long as he does what God leads, he cannot fail. The strength is found in what God gives him the ability to do by His Holy Spirit–to do the impossible.
As a believer, you are enlisted into God’s army and are in the battle for your life and soul. The world does not care about you, nor love you in any way. All the world wants is to see your destruction.
Allow God’s Holy Spirit to open all of your senses to be on your guard for the enemies attacks in your mind, physical and spiritual realms.
Trust and have faith that God will give you what you need in the time of battle. Don’t back down, but go in with the courage and strength of the Lord. With God, all things are possible and God never fails.
Are you ready for battle?
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will allow God’s Holy Spirit to keep you alert to the tactics of the enemy; that you will have faith in God’s abilities; that you will have God’s courage to stand and fight the battle; and that you will have God’s strength to continue the battle until it is won.
My word for 2022 is STRENGTH. I chose it on January 1st and I had no idea how much I would need it this year! But God knew! You are right: “Along with being alert, all throughout the bible believers are told to have faith, be courageous and be strong.” And the only way we can be strong is through faith. I posted 1 Cor.16:13 inside my kitchen cabinet door where I get my coffee cup each morning. Indeed He is my strength and shield Without Him, I would be toast!
Praise the Lord. That is a good word to have—STRENGTH. Thank you for sharing how it confirms a verse you are holding onto this year. God is definitely our strength to make it through many challenges in life.
Have a blessed day in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
Thank you. I feel the blessings! 🥰