Subs and Substance Week 4

This week we continued in our pursuit of wisdom and knowledge in Proverbs 2: 6-11

⁶ For the LORD gives wisdom;
   from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
⁷ He holds success in store for the upright,
   he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
⁸ for he guards the course of the just
   and protects the way of his faithful ones.
 ⁹ Then you will understand what is right and just
   and fair—every good path.
¹⁰ For wisdom will enter your heart,
   and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
¹¹ Discretion will protect you,
   and understanding will guard you.

Let’s talk about these words… Shield, Guard, Protect. What do they mean to you?

·        Desert Shield

·        Troy – Brad Pitt as Achilles

·        Secret Service Guards

·        Gladiator – Maximus Decimus Meridius

Are these passive, lackadaisical activities? No, they are action oriented and often akin to a battle or a mission.

Does the bible make any other reference to battles?

·        Battle of Megiddo or Armageddon (Revelation 16)

·        Gideon’s 300

·        King David went into Battle repeatedly

Are we in a battle? Look at  Ephesians 6 and let’s learn of a battle that we are currently in. Read Verses 10-18.

The Armor of God

 ¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

 ¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Specifically verse 12 talks about our struggle, or our battle and then goes on to talk about how we prepare ourselves for this battle, this conflict, this real and present danger!

And the Armament is listed so that you can “Stand Firm” in this battle!

Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding – preparing us for the battle we are in as men on this side of heaven. A battle we are to be readied for so that we can stand firm as the men of God we are expected to be!

Pray to that end…