Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. – Ephesians 6:10
Attend any major holiday or celebratory parade, or even a small street parade on the Island of Bermuda, and you’re likely to see a Salvation Army band, with their instruments and tambourines, playing and marching to “Onward, Christian Soldiers.” This 19th century English hymn was adopted by them as their favored processional. Its title and lyrics were based on 2 Timothy 2:3 where Christians are instructed to be a “good soldier of Christ Jesus.”
When Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt met in August 1941 to agree to the Atlantic Charter, a church service was held aboard the battleship HMS Prince of Wales where they met. Prime Minister Churchill chose that hymn. He would later say, “I felt no vain presumption, but that we had the right to feel that we were serving a cause for the sake of which a trumpet was sounded from on high. … It swept across me that there was the only hope, but also the sure hope, of saving the world from measureless degradation,” that hope coming from the same fundamental laws, the same ideals, and the same faith.
Just as the world was entering into another great war in 1941, there is a still greater war waging today, where Christians are looked upon with disdain, even as President Trump, Vice President Pence and some in Congress strive to “keep faith alive” in America. You are a Christian soldier today! The beginning of the account of the Christian’s spiritual armor is finding your strength in the Lord and in His power. How good it is that you don’t have to rely on your own.
Be encouraged today that you aren’t facing your spiritual battles by yourself. Jesus Christ is there. He longs for you to lean on Him. Serve Him humbly. Love one another. Pray for those who persecute you or speak evil against you—they need the Lord. Pray for the president and members of his cabinet and team that God would use them as His instruments in restoring faith among Americans.
Today’s Verse: Ephesians 6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Psalm 28:6-9; Psalm 27
Blessed be the Lord!
For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him.
8 The Lord is the strength of his people;
he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
9 Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!
Be their shepherd and carry them forever.
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall.
3 Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet I will be confident.
4 One thing have I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire in his temple.
5 For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will lift me high upon a rock.
6 And now my head shall be lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to me and answer me!
8 You have said, “Seek my face.”
My heart says to you,
“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”
9 Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
O God of my salvation!
10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
but the Lord will take me in.
11 Teach me your way, O Lord,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they breathe out violence.
13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living!
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
