Aug 29, 2022
1CHRONICLES 8:
Today we read 1st Chronicles 8. Hang on! We’re
almost through with the names chapters!
PROVERBS 17a:
Before we open to chapter 17 of Proverbs, I
have to say that it is hard to choose just one verse to highlight
in today’s reading!
Pro. 17:9 NLT Love prospers when
a fault is forgiven,
but
dwelling on it separates close friends.
Re-reading EPHESIANS 6:
Once
when I had long been in Indonesia and needed spiritual counsel, I
received wise counsel from an experienced missionary. He encouraged
me to ‘pray on’ the armor of God every day. So I prayed rather
literally through the list of armor, asking for God to clothe me
with each piece. And, even though not doing this with much
understanding, I felt like it was sort of helpful. But then I began
to get more and more uncomfortable. It was like I was just
repeating a mantra of magic words. So how do we put on the armor,
and do we need to put it on daily? Later in translating this
passage, I found that the imperative verbs here are second aorist
in tense. This means that the commands to put on each piece
indicate a one-time action. The armor is not uncomfortable to wear
like physical armor would be. We aren’t supposed to take it off.
The pieces of armor are like the pillars of your identity in union
with Christ.
So how do you put them on? When I discuss this passage in my presentations to groups in Indonesia, I will often ask someone in one of the front, “Are you wearing the helmet of salvation?” And usually they will be rather embarrassed at being put on the spot and say, “Uh, I don’t know.” Then I say, “Do you believe that Jesus has saved you?” With a smile of relief they say, Yes. Then I say to the whole group, “He believes that Jesus saved him, so he is wearing the helmet of salvation!” Now with that example, I challenge you to figure out what you need to believe in order to wear the other pieces of armor!