Strength to Hope - Chapter Fifteen

Strength to Hope

When a strong man, Fully armed,
guards his own house, His
possessions are safe.

Luke 11:21

We live in a tumultuous time in world history. Daily we see the overt actions of aggression and hatred from an enemy who desires our complete annihilation. FBI 2012 Crime Clock Statistics finds that in 2012, a violent crime occurred every 26.0 seconds. A property crime occurred every 3.5 seconds. Many of these crimes occurred when innocent victims were at home, watching TV, eating dinner, doing laundry, washing dishes; feeling safe.

Hopelessness is evident as seen in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention statistics stating “suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US; each year 42,773 Americans die by suicide.”

Our world appears to be knee deep in the quick sand of anxiety, depression, and hopelessness. So, how do you, and how do I overcome being consumed by the fear and anxiety of the “what if?”

Luke 11:21 can be seen as instructions for safeguarding your heart against the enemy:

1. Be Strong
2. Be Fully Armed
3. Be On guard

Be Strong—Ephesians 6:10 explains that we can be strong in the Lord “and in his mighty power.” We fight our battle on our knees. The battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the enemy of your soul. Your strength does not come from within but from the Almighty. He will give you the strength you need for the battle at hand.

When I read that verse I am reminded of a friend whose young son came running into the house shouting that the car had fallen on his daddy. My friend rushed outside to find her husband squashed between the driveway and the vehicle. Without thinking, she grabbed hold of the bumper, lifted the car, and held on until her two young sons pulled their father free. A couple of days later she grabbed that same bumper and tried to lift the car. It would not budge! God had given her the strength for the battle at hand. He will do the same for you.

Be Fully Armed—Ephesians 6:13-17 is a reminder to put on the “full armor of God.” The belt of truth. The breastplate of righteousness. Feet fitted with the gospel of peace. The shield of faith. The helmet of salvation. The sword of the Spirit; the Word of God. Battles are rarely expected. The enemy usually sneaks up on you. Fired. Cancer. Anger. Bankruptcy. Fear. Death. Illness. Infidelity. Depression. Infertility. Be proactive—prepared, ready, trained. Every morning, put on the full armor of God.
Be On Guard—finally, when you are standing strong in God’s power, and you are proactively dressed for battle, you should guard your own house. Because you are dressed in the armor of God and standing in the strength of God, you have the ability to overcome the enemy—satan. We guard our house as we “pray in the Spirit on all occasions.” (Ephesians 6:18)

Never forget—when you are a child of the Living God, you do not fight your battles alone. Isaiah 26:3 reminds us, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed (to be braced, steadfast, rely upon, gain confidence) on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” KJV

Our hope against the attack of the enemy is to be strong, be fully armed, and be on guard; keep your mind confidently focused on the Father. There is hope in the midst of the battle, knowing we are safe, when we allow God, in His mighty power, to fight for us. He is our strength to hope!

Hope for Daily Living

Do you currently have a fear or anxiety? Explain.

If that fear, or the circumstance causing you anxiety, became reality, what would you do?

Read Matthew 28:20, Psalm 34:18, and 1 Peter 5:7. Write the verse that ministers to your current circumstance or the circumstance of someone for whom you are praying.

Are you willing to commit to time with the Father every day, reading/studying His Word to you? (You may already do this. If so, are you willing to add ten minutes to that amount of time?) Write your commitment here.

Precious Heavenly Father,

in the Name of Jesus, I come to You today praising You because You alone are Almighty God. You are worthy of my praise, and I glorify You as the One and Only True God. I thank You that because You are my God, no enemy can triumph over me as I put my trust in You. Father, help me to safeguard my heart by believing You, trusting You, and standing firm on Your Word. Teach me to be strong, fully armed, and on guard against the enemy at all times. Remind me daily that through You, even when life appears hopeless, I have the strength to hope in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

©Joyce Powell