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Sword Fighting

Who would have thought that a broken finger would bring insight and, ultimately, intimacy with God? Today, my finger and I returned to work, but I am thankful for the forced stop that allowed me to spend time with my Creator and Savior.  God has revealed so much to me during this season of recovery. He is growing me in ways I’ve prayed for but not in the ways I’ve expected.

One of my revelations has been that I am a warrior in Christ. Not a way I would describe myself at all. My sister reminded me of the story of Gideon and how he felt.  According to him, he was the least of his tribe-the tribe that was the least of all of Israel. I guess I can identify with Gideon. 

So if I’m supposed to be a warrior that means that I need armor. Well, fortunately the Bible addresses that in Ephesians 6. As Christians, we have armor to stand against the enemy, Satan, the destroyer who wants to deceive and take as many souls as he can with him. In studying this armor we’ve been given, one of the things I noticed is that the only offensive weapon that a warrior for Christ is given is the sword which is the word of God. God told me to start brandishing my sword. In other words, rather than just knowing about parts of the Bible, I need to start hiding God’s word in my heart. Knowing what He says specifically and where He says it.


My new assignment is to practice my sword fighting skills. I’m back to memorizing scripture which is something I haven’t done since I was a child. It’s not as easy as it was when I was little. I asked God where to begin and he told me start with Psalms. So I did.

Psalm 1

1 

Oh, the joys of those who do not

    follow the advice of the wicked,

    or stand around with sinners,

    or join in with mockers.

2 

But they delight in the law of the Lord,

    meditating on it day and night.

3 

They are like trees planted along the riverbank,

    bearing fruit each season.

Their leaves never wither,

    and they prosper in all they do.

4 

But not the wicked!

    They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.

5 

They will be condemned at the time of judgment.

    Sinners will have no place among the godly.

6 

For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,

    but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

What an amazing God we serve that reveals what He wants for us when we ask for it!  Fruit in due season, prosperity, joy.  Such amazing promises in three verses.  And He told me where to find it!

So here’s the big question: how’s your armor? Is your helmet of salvation sitting well enough to protect your mind? Are you covered in the breast plate of righteousness and being held up by the truth of God? Are you walking with the gospel of peace? Is your faith strong enough to deflect the arrows that you know the enemy will shoot? What about your sword? Do you know what the Bible says or do you just get the gist of the story? Is your sword ready for battle or is it a little rusty? Maybe you’re like me and you know a lot of the word of God; you just need to work on your sword fighting skills. Go for it! Let God reveal himself to you in even bigger ways. And when you’ve done all this stand firm against the enemy.

© Jill Cook and Unbroken & Undone Ministries. All rights reserved.

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