Working from home is one of the biggest changes to my life over the last few months. I’ve found that little things like stopping for my morning coffee, complaining about traffic, and listening to my favorite morning talk show bring me joy. One thing I don’t miss is picking out what I’m going to wear every day. I’m challenged when it comes to fashion ☹. Despite my struggle and even though I’m working from home; I still get dressed every day. The action helps me prepare my mind to work and I’m ready just in case something out of the ordinary happens. In the same sense, I put on the spiritual garments the Lord has provided me daily, no matter what I have planned:
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you are able to stand…
—Ephesians 6:10-11a
He has given us instructions not only to help us right now but to also prepare and help us navigate the challenges that are ahead.
Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist when the times are evil, and after you have done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm then!
—Ephesians 6:13-14a
Read, study, and meditate on the Word so you can stand firm in times of trouble. Clothe yourself now for the battle that is yet to come. You may look ridiculous today (all dressed up and nowhere to go) but you will be preparing yourself for whatever comes your way tomorrow.
For the past nine weeks, as the coronavirus upended the world with fear, stay-at-home mandates, financial loss and isolation, we’ve turned to Scripture for the hope we each need to endure rough times.
Ancient Israel had a hope: to return to the Land God had promised to give her. Yet, she had been in exile in Babylon for so long that I’m sure the hope of many began to wane, if not completely disappear.
Our God is the Master Composer. The intricacies He has purposefully arranged on His grand scale of time are often indistinguishable to the human ear, unless we strain to hear. As we journey through the story of Ezra-Nehemiah in the days ahead, listen in for a pattern, a 3-part harmony, as God composes another movement in His song through the mouths of His prophets. See if you can make out the sounds.
The words God gave to His prophets often told about events in the current time, near future and a time even further in the future. They are always pointing us forward, but what were they pointing us forward to?
