“Finally, my Brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10).

Strong (Def): (Gr): Endunamoo: Empower, enable, increase in strength

The words of the Apostle are sincerely important for us to receive for the challenges to our faith in our day seem to be ever increasing in intensity and pressure. There is a reason Paul wrote these words in his Epistle to the Ephesians, for as he penned:

“We wrestle not against flesh and blood (mortal men), but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).

Given the list of the powerful enemies of God and the Gospel, we need to be empowered, and enabled with ever increasing strength from the Spirit of Christ to stand strong in our faith every day.

Paul describes that day as “the evil day”, in the which we must be able to stand and “having done all, to stand” (cf. Ephesians 6:13).

How can we be strong in the Lord? How can we continue to stand in the evil day? The Apostle gives us a list of powerful weapons to help us in our struggles: (1) The Belt of Truth; (2) The Breastplate of Righteousness; (3) Feet shod with the Gospel of Peace; (4) The Shield of Faith; (5) The Helmet of Salvation; (6) The Sword of the Spirit (the Word of God); (7) Prayer in the Holy Spirit; (8) Watching intently with perseverance.

We are the Body of Christ and we are in the fight together, so the Apostle is keen to point out the importance of Prayer for all the Saints:

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints”.

Be Strong in the Lord in prayer for all, the whole Body of Christ: for Pastors, leaders, workers, families, children, seniors, caregivers, teachers, worship teams, and everyone serving in one capacity or another. Everyone is in need of prayer and you being strong in the Lord are positioned to offer up those prayers that God will hear and answer speedily.

The Apostle encouraged his spiritual son in the Lord, Timothy with these words of exhortation:

“You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (II Timothy 2:1).

Be enabled by the Grace of Christ, be empowered with ever increasing strength in Christ Jesus. Indeed, “Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might”.

Being strong in the Lord is not just for me, being strong in the Lord is for us. The Apostle wrote to the Church at Rome:

“We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak and not to please ourselves” (Romans 15:1). If the strong will bear the infirmities of the weak, then the whole Body will be kept together and move forward as one, with no one left behind. This is the love of Christ in action, who being strong bore with our infirmities and raised us up together with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places (cf. Ephesians 2:5-6).

Brethren, love one another from a pure heart, be strong in the Lord, be fervent in spirit serving the Lord. Be strong, I say, in the Lord.

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