Stand

A summer thunderstorm. Lightning streaks through a cloudburst. Two cyclists are pedalling as quickly as they can down my street. They are soaked through and through. The thunderstorm rages on. The air becomes very cold. Its now exactly a week into the New Year and nothing seems to be new in Zim……
Here in Zim, many people fear for their jobs and worry about how they are going to provide for their families. Our whole system, entire way of life, has fallen apart in such a short time.
Let me explain, the people here are diligent workers. In the past, when our currency was stable, though people earned low wages, through their diligence many managed to save enough to buy a car.
Suddenly everything changed.
The Zim dollar fell dramatically, and at the end of its downward spiral, the people were no longer able to even buy a car that they had saved for – in fact, they were lucky to be able to afford the basic commodities with their savings.
Suddenly, they found themselves completely without means and on top of all that, they had to find their way through tense political and economic circumstances.
Some have never quite been able to cope with all these changes, so they have fled to other countries. You must not forget: no one receives unemployement insuarance payments, and there are no social benefits. Beyond that, people have to pay for their own medical expences..
These problems we face today. However, The appetite for God’s Word has not been diminished as one would expect neither has it been eclipsed by other cares. There is a massive hunger for God’s Word and true worship.

I am reminded of a familiar passage written by Paul. In Ephesians 6 verse 13 to 18 he says; “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, tha ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith ,where with, ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints…”

Let us put all these to work. With this armour we will be able to win the battle. And because we must put on this armour ourselves, I would like to say: let’s do so gladly.
Just think of all that can be accomplished with this armour..
Faith leads to righteousness
Love leads to loyalty and fulfillment
Hope enables us to be patient
Zeal brings us divine success
The fear of God brings us wisdom
Prayer gives us security and peace in the soul
Offering brings us the fullness of blessings
And the Word of God as the Sword of the Spirit will help us in winning the battle.

Therefore let us do as Paul recommended to the Romans. Let us grasp the strength, light, and life that lie in The Word. Let us take on the heavenly substance for our future patrh of faith………

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