“12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” – Ephesians 6:12 (ESV)
This verse points to the preparation we should be taking each and every day. There is darkness and danger in the world every day. I could walk out to my car and something may fall from the sky and conk me on the head. Whereas that is possible to happen, it is not really likely. I have to be more concerned with the darkness and dangers that are present right now. Those that are eminent and that I can prepare to defend against.
Each day when I awake I am bombarded by darkness. The internet, social media, peer pressure, economic crisis, family difficulties, as well as a host of other things that are in my face starting early in the morning. There is certainly no shortage of darkness needing to wade through.
That is just it. Wading through. When one prepares to go fly fishing in a riverbed, the proper outer ware is worn so as to protect against the wet and cold of the water not to mention any critters that may be in the water. In order to wade through the difficulties of daily life, I have to remember to wear the proper protection. And that all starts as I do each morning in my bible study. I get into the word of God as opposed to allowing the world to get into me. I am preparing or the darkness and taking the proactive approach to defending against it. I am filling myself with the glory of God and putting on His armor of protection.
Preparing is not a one time thing. Preparation should be an ongoing thing. I should prepare for the day fighting in the darkness, then I should prepare for the individual battles I know are coming. And then I should prepare to be the husband and father in my home. And then I should prepare for sleep to recharge so that I can do it all over again the next day. The darkness in the world will be present always and it is up to me to prepare to defend against it and not just try to react to the attack and hope I am able to get through. With preparation, I will fight the fight and the result will be. Whether success or failure, I have prepared and fought with the Lord by my side and will know that the result is that of God’s design and victory will be had.
What preparations are you doing each day? Are you simply getting up and hoping that today will be better than yesterday? What if you were to prepare with the Lord and then continue your preparations throughout the day for the darkness that is there?
Trevor's Thoughts 