Hello
Please receive today’s Holy Nougat
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” Hebrews 12:1 NLT
With this, two contrasting pictures come to mind. They are: the ‘sleek’ modern athlete who is aerodynamically dressed for the race; and the recruit training with battle gear. So which is the best strategy for life’s battles? I would argue both.
David wasn’t weighted down with Saul’s armor – he used his own. However, by using Goliath’s own sword to decapitate the giant; we know that he was not a stranger to weapons.
The Pauline writer insists that we don the entire armor of God. It is necessary. But everyone knows that a soldier who is not focused or who is cambered with unnecessary equipment is a threat to a successful mission. Armor – yes. Unnecessary baggage – nope.
What are the little things that are weighing us down? Grudges? Half truths? Lies? Wrong priorities? Unconfessed sin? The issue is; whatever weight we have not relinquished actually becomes offensive weaponry for the enemy of our souls.
Yes. For the enemy is not averse to using our weaknesses to overcome us. Thus, the less weight surrounding us, the better it is for us.
Here’s the good news. Even if we are captured; as long as we have life, the battle is not over. And if the battle is not over, we can press on. For endurance is not just finishing; its finishing despite the challenges.
Even as we prepare to don our armor, let us also rid ourselves of any unnecessary burdens by inviting God to rid us of them. Then we can run and fight knowing we have not given the enemy unfair advantage over us.
We press on by God’s grace.
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
