…and having done all, to Stand!

What happens when you feel that you have done everything you are supposed to do, and then your prayers hit the ceiling and you got no answer? If someone asks that question of me what do I say? The truth is so simple that it sounds cliché but here it is; it is in those times when you are doing and trying your hardest that it is the devil’s job to try you at every level to see if you will turn aside from your faith so that he can devour you, soul and body.

When Job was living right and happy suddenly he suffered the loss of his family and his properties, plus he was covered with boils! He sat on a dung heap and scraped them with a broken piece of pottery, just trying to feel better. He went from bad to worse and then his wife capped it all off by asking him why he didn’t just “curse God and die”! Job was faithful in the face of losing everything and then endured all his well meaning friends, commonly referred to as “Job’s comforters“, telling him that he must have lived in sin or displeased God in some way or this would not be happening to him. It wasn’t until Job, who by this time was feeling lower than a snake’s belly actually prayed for those “friends“, that is when God put a halt to all that Satan was doing to him. From that point his fortune began to rebuild, he had more children, he regained his properties, he had it all and on top of that, seven times more!

WOW!

Satan had thrown it up to God that He had protected Job, and said “Does Job serve God for nothing? You have put a hedge around him!”That is when God gave Satan permission to try Job in whatever way he wanted, except he could not take his life. I am sure there was times that Job, and perhaps youhave wished you could just die to get out of all your troubles. But consider this, have you armed yourself against this enemy of your soul?

Ephesians 6:12-18 And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

This was written by the Apostle to the Christian church of the day, he was giving them the best advice he could! Did you notice he encouraged them to pray for their brothers and sisters? Are youhaving a hard time? Does it feel like your prayers are hitting the ceiling and falling back in your face?  If so armyourself!

Don’t give up and don’t give in, pray then pull up those armed drawers and fight!