MESSAGES
In the Strength of Our God (Nehemiah 8:10)
The apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the church in Ephesus: Ephesians 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Paul was motivating the church to:
1 - Protect themselves with the armor revealed by God (therefore take up the whole armor of God).
Here, two spiritual truths are revealed to us:
• God provides the armor.
• But we need to take it up, put it on, and use it.
In other words, the Christian life is not automatic:
It is participatory
It is responsible
It is intentional
Grace does not eliminate spiritual effort — it empowers it.
2 - Resist the devil's snares, traps, and schemes (that you may be able to withstand in the evil day).
The evil day will come with:
• temptations
• spiritual attacks
• injustices
• illnesses
• losses
• persecutions
• discouragement
The armor is not for decoration; it is for a real war.
3 - Do everything we have to do, regardless of the difficulties (and having done all).
Paul points out that:
• there are battles
• there are phases
• there are processes
• there are ongoing confrontations
And the Christian doesn't just win one fight — they win them all, because God empowers them in each one.
Faith is not an event; it's a lifestyle.
4 - Stand firm and victorious, simply because we did everything as God directed us to (to stand firm).
Many people win one battle but lose the next.
They overcome one problem but fall into the following one.
They defeat one sin but give in to another.
Paul says that true victory is:
• winning and staying strong
• without backing down
• without falling apart
• without losing faith
That is spiritual maturity.
We know that fighting isn't easy, and it's no use thinking God won't allow struggles. We are in this world learning, getting to know God, and proving our faith and faithfulness to Him through our attitudes. It is crucial that during these struggles, you prove your faith through your works.
James 2:
17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
True faith:
• acts
• resists
• obeys
• produces fruit
• shows up in attitudes
Once, God told the people of Israel to prepare for battle, and He said: LET THE WEAK SAY: I AM A WARRIOR.
Joel 3:10 Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, “I am a warrior.”
In other words, God's will is that through faith and perseverance, we become strong, because in Jesus we are more than conquerors.
Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Being strong is essential to face our struggles, because discouragement, spiritual weakness, and distancing ourselves from God consume our faith and take away the will to fight. This generates oppressed people with no perspective on life, who are depressed, faithless, and WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD.
Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Nehemiah said that: THE JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH:
Nehemiah 8:10 ... And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
So, to be strong, we need to bring joy to God.
How can we bring joy to God?
By being obedient, honoring Him, and loving Him. Then, God's joy with your life will overflow and your battles will be won more easily, as you will face your enemy (Satan) with great strength, because THE LORD WILL BE YOUR STRENGTH and GOD IS INVINCIBLE!
Isaiah 43:13 Also henceforth I am he; there is none who can deliver from my hand; I work, and who can turn it back?
THE BATTLE IS REAL, BUT THE RESULT IS ALREADY GUARANTEED.
