Solid Rock, Strength in Weakness, Trustworthy Armor

Beloved Kinney,

I was very encouraged by the sermon this week from Ephesians 6. A couple other passages came to mind as I was thinking about this one, and you know I love making Bible connections, so I thought I'd share some of these. I hope it brings you all as much encouragement as it has to me the last couple of days!

Jesus tells us in Matthew 7 that only those who follow His commands will stand firm, "24 'Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.'" The solid rock of Christ is the firm foundation on which we stand.

Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 12 it is specifically in our weakness that we experience the power of Christ, "9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." We stand in God's might by not trusting our own.

Finally, we see a picture of the wrong armor in 1 Samuel 17. As David is preparing to battle Goliath, Saul gives David his own armor. But David simply can't use them because he "hasn't tested them." You can see the implication that David trusts the Lord's armor more than the protection offered by Saul's armor. Trust in the Lord is the only trustworthy armor.

There is something comforting, though not always easy, to remember that it is God who keeps us, not the other way around! We would do well to remember these truths: the Lord is the only solid foundation, He works not only despite our weakness but through our weakness, and He is the only armor worth trusting. Lord, help each of us to remember these truths! Praise the Lord this week for His great strength, and rest in it.

Love,
Pastor Dillon