Equipment for Facing Life’s GiantsApril 29, 2011
High School can have many ups and downs. One of the most fulfilling and satisfying areas of my High School years was my participation in the marching band. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the concert season as well but there was just something about marching on those football fields at halftime that brought my great joy.
During those years of marching band there were many responsibilities. Practice, practice, and more practice. Not only did we need to practice the instrument that we played but we also had to practice the routine that would become the halftime show. There was another aspect of marching band that was not for everyone. Each year a special group of students were selected to be what we called the “loading crew.” The job description was simple: make sure all the instruments and any additional equipment needed got to the football field at home games and make sure it all got loaded onto the buses for out-of-town games.
Can you imagine if the band showed up to march without all the instruments and missing crucial equipment? It would have been devastating. Without the proper instruments the music would not be pleasing to the crowd nor would the halftime routine be complete. It was of upmost importance that every instrument and the proper equipment be in place for the band to be successful.
Success in daily life against the giants that we face also depends on the proper equipment being in place. Like me, you desire to have victory over the giants faced daily; but also like me, you have faced many giants in the past with a great determination to have victory and yet found yourself defeated. It was neither from the lack of trying nor the lack of determination the giants defeated us but the end result was still defeat. One question that we each must answer is: “Did we have the right equipment when facing those giants?”
What is the right equipment for facing life’s giants? It is my wonderful privilege to point out the answer to these questions that is found in the Word of God. In the Book of Ephesians, the Bible says:
“Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens” (Ephesians 6:10-12, HCSB).
In my personal experience the phrase, “be strengthened by the Lord,” is easier said than done. It is not that we don’t want to be strengthened by the Lord or even that we are not. But we fail to live in that strength. We blame others, outside circumstances, health, or a plethora of other things for the choices in our lives. There must be a determination to stop with the excuses and finger pointing. We must trust that God has strengthened us and has equipped us for victory in daily battles with the giants that we face.
The next crucial step to having victory over the giants of everyday life is to “Put on the full armor of God.” Just as the band needed ever instrument and the proper equipment to be in place, we also need God’s armor to battle those giants that we face. It is only when God’s armor is applied, through prayer, that we are properly clothed. What is that armor? You may be asking. Well, Ephesians tells us:
“Stand therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word” (Ephesians 6:14-17, HCSB).
With the assurance of God’s strength and the full armor of God applied, we are ready to face the giants of everyday life. I encourage you to spend time in God’s Word discovering even more of His wonderful truths that will equip you as you face life’s giants.
Shawn Thrapp
Pastor of Lake O’ the Pines Baptist Church
Exalting Jesus, Loving People, Reaching the World