Esther 9:4-5
For Mordecai was great in the king’s palace, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces; for this man Mordecai became increasingly prominent. Thus the Jews defeated all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, with slaughter and destruction, and did what they pleased with those who hated them.
Life can feel like a battle sometimes. Well, honestly, life CAN be a battle most of the time. Some days the battles waged are more intense than others, but, they are battles none-the-less. Some days the battle is to get the kids up and out the door on time; some days the battle is the foreclosure notice in the mail. Sometimes the battle is in the workplace, or in the doctor’s office. Life can be a battle. The story of Esther is a battle in itself—from start to finish.
The days when the battle is intense, it can feel like we don’t have anything to protect us. We know Christ is there, and we know He is in our corner…but what do we have to defend us is tangible and that we can reach for when temptation, doubt, fear, anger, are staring us in the face and taunting us.
One of the most assuring feelings is knowing that we do have something to reach for…that we have a weapon at our disposal stronger than any battle we may face. We have Christ and His written Word.
1 John 4:4
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because
He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
The sword.
“Thus the Jews defeated all their enemies with the stroke of the sword…” (Esther 9:5)
What is this sword? No, we’re not expected to carry around a huge piece of metal on our waist, but we are expected to carry around a different sword in our heart, the Sword of the Spirit—the Bible—our instruction book. This is our defense and our protection.
Ephesians 6:14-17
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
This is a wonderful gift, a wonderful tool, and a wonderful source of protection. Like Darlene encourages us to do, we should look at the many ways in which the Word of God can protect us. It protects us not only from the outside world but from ourselves. For example, when I’m tempted to complain, I know where to go (Philippians 2:14), when I’m tempted to worry, I know where to go (Matthew 6:25-27), and there are so many more verses I know I can go to when I need a sword. But it takes effort on my part. It takes study. and it takes me immersing myself in the Scripture so it is on my heart and mind when I need it.
The last question Darlene asks of us is to look inside and examine our study habits: do we read the Bible often? Do we study it as we’re called to do? This is not a condemning question but an opportunity for growth. I know that this is an area than I need to work on, (and am so thankful for how technology can help with this goal). When you get a chance, think about how you can grow in this area, how you can strengthen the Word inside of you.
*****
Let’s Pray:
Lord, we breathe a sigh of relief when we can reach inside and pull from Your Word, when You bring a Scripture to mind that will help us in the situation we’re in. Lord, time isn’t something that we have a lot of, but please touch our hearts and remind us how important it is to strengthen our Sword. And thank You for giving us this tool, for giving us the Sword. In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.
About Tonya Ellison
Tonya, you’ve written a powerful word as usual. I’ve appreciated your thought provoking studies each week, thank you.
I too feel that assurance when I’m in a situation and realize that I can reach for my Sword, either physically or mentally, and find what God has to say about it and how I should handle it. His Word is so powerful!
I believe my growth needs to be in the area of memorizing more of the Word. I love it when I realize that I’ve got a Scripture planted in my mind, but I can always learn more!
Amen to your prayer! And thanks again!!
Yes, His word is incredibly powerful! Like you I need to word on memorization. I can usuall paraphrase sctiptures and tell people the general area you can find it but I definitely need to plant it my heart and mind better than I have been. This has been a wonderful study!
so thankful for the Sword of the Spirit! where would we be without it? thank you, tonya, for your compelling words today…thankful for God working in you! <3
Great question, where would we be without it? Even when I can’t put my finger on yhe exact location, the words are in my heart. The sword has helped me more times than I can say.
Thanks Tonya. This is a timely reminder that is much needed. Awesome job!