Thought for the Day "Don't forget your sword!"

 

When I look back over the past few years, I see a battle ground. The beautiful way that I had imagined skipping through life, with a gentle breeze blowing through my hair didn’t actually happen..... 

I didn’t want a battle; I wanted a field of flowers. 

Some of you may be old enough to remember a wonderful flake advert years ago. There was a beautiful woman sitting in a field of poppies, surrounded by this beauty and in soft focus, she painted a watercolour painting of her surroundings. 

This was pretty much how I wanted life to be, I wanted to live life in the soft focus of a pinky haze, but my dear Lord clearly did not get that memo!

He knows I long for my Happily ever after, I am hard wired to long for the perfect peace and rest of heaven, but right now that is not going to happen. 

I am in training to be equipped for ministry and most of the time it is tough. I stumble, I get wounded, but I need to get back out there again. 

Praise the Lord I cannot slip into complacency, believing from some lofty place of self-assurance that I have already made it.

Ephesians 6 is a sharp reminder that we live in enemy territory. We are not in heaven yet. 

One verse has really stuck with me recently. Romans 8:37

"We are more than conquerors!"

Jesus wants us to do more than win.

He wants us to triumph victoriously over our enemies.

We can have total victory and win ground for the Lord. 

So, let's stop just trying to get through the day and let's get our armour on!

The battle so often begins within in our heart and in our attitude, so let's align our thoughts with the King. 

Don’t forget your sword! 

 

Bow down to your King, 

 And put your armour on,

There is no other course, 

When the battle is raging strong. 

 

With the helmet of Salvation, 

Protect your mind from sin, 

Renew your thoughts with the word,

To strengthen yourself within. 

 

With the breastplate of righteousness, 

Protect and fortify your heart, 

It is the wellspring of life,

And where the attack will start. 

 

Buckle up your belt, 

It may be a bumpy ride, 

But girded with the truth, 

You can take it in your stride. 

 

Put on your sturdy shoes, 

To take the gospel of peace,

Everywhere and anywhere, 

Christs' fragrance to release. 

 

Lift up your head and praise Him,

Defeat the enemy with your song, 

Remember that it’s a battle,

 And you need to stay strong. 

 

Almost ready for action, 

Just don’t forget your sword,

The devil can be defeated, 

Slayed by the truth of the word. 

 

Your shield of faith is gleaming, 

Shining like the light of the sun, 

Keep praising continually, 

 And this battle will be won. 

 

We are more than conquerors,

Stay strong and win the day, 

When all is done stand firm, 

And never neglect to pray. 

 

 Thought for the Day aired on Hope FM February 2023

By Dawn Annette Montague