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[Luke 6:29]; Matthew 10:1,9; Luke 22:35, 36; Romans 15:4; I Samuel 15:1-6, 32, 33, Ephesians 6:10-27; II Samuel 23:1-4; I Samuel 17:1-37, 40; 43-58; II Samuel 23:1-4; 21:15-22; 23:5-23; Ephesians 6:10

PIt is clear throughout the scriptures that we have the right to defend ourselves. Often the words of Jesus Christ regarding "turning the other cheek" when one is smitten are misinterpreted. In the times of the Bible if someone insulted another, they would flock or tap the cheek. A similar example in our society is to teach our children "sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can never hurt you."

When we look in the scriptures regarding Jesus Christ’s teaching about loving people, we must look at the context. In one section, he gave his disciples power and told them to go out without money, swords, etc. He was teaching them to trust and rely upon God for everything. Yet when the circumstances changed, he taught them to sell their garments and buy a sword if they did not have one. Jesus knew that after his crucifixion, these men would need to defend themselves.

I Samuel 15 speaks of a time that Samuel told Saul to smite or kill all the Amalekites, including their flocks. Saul disobeyed Samuel and kept the best of the flocks and allowed Agag, King of the Amalekites to live. Samuel, the man of God, then did what Saul should have done and hewed Agag in pieces "before the Lord."

On Memorial Day, we honor those who gave their lives for the freedoms we enjoy in our country today. One of the greatest principles of human life is the motivation to serve. The principle of service is more powerful than financial rewards. The return of Christ gives man a motive to be a doulos, a bond servant by choice, which is the highest type of heroism.

Ephesians 6 exhorts us to "be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." It is not our own strength, intellect, or academic credentials in which we are to be strong, but rather our faith in the living God. We are to put on all that God has provided us as armament against the wiles of the devil.

David was a hero – a man of "velvet and steel." At the end of his life, David spoke of how a man leads and conducts himself with the people of God. He knew he was to be tender and loving to God’s people. But when he stood against the enemies of God, he was strong in the Lord and the power of his might. Goliath was really big. The people of Israel were terrified of him. Yet David, in his youth, knew that the living God would deliver them out of the hand of the Philistiens. When he killed Goliath with the stone, he then cut off his head and carried it around in victory.

II Samuel speaks of the last days of David. It also describes three men who stood with David as "mighty men." These mighty men called David the "light of Israel." They knew of his sins, but they saw David’s life and heart. His leadership was honest and the people loved him in spite of his transgressions. He led his people into victory against their enemies by his faith in the power of the living God.

God is no less the God of His people today. Ephesians 6:10 says we are to be "strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." We are not to let anything or anyone intimidate us. We reside in the power of his might. We are to pray fervently, operating the spirit of God He has given us. We can then watch God bring to pass the victories in our lives.


#272 Stand: Strong In The Lord -- May 26, 2002 ©2002 / Steven A. Michels 69:55 minutes
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*"Stand:* Strong In The Lord"- Rev. Steven A. Michels [Luke 6:29]; Matthew 10:1,9; Luke 22:35, 36; Romans 15:4; I Samuel 15:1-6, 32, 33, Ephesians 6:10-27; II Samuel 23:1-4; I Samuel 17:1-37, 40; 43-58; II Samuel 23:1-4; 21:15-22; 23:5-23; Ephesians 6:10** PIt is clear throughout the scriptures that we have the right to defend ourselves. Often the words of Jesus Christ regarding "turning the other cheek" when one is smitten are misinterpreted. In the times of the Bible if someone insulted another, they would flock or tap the cheek. A similar example in our society is to teach our children "sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can never hurt you." When we look in the scriptures regarding Jesus Christ’s teaching about loving people, we must look at the context. In one section, he gave his disciples power and told them to go out without money, swords, etc. He was teaching them to trust and rely upon God for everything. Yet when the circumstances changed, he taught them to sell their garments and buy a sword if they did not have one. Jesus knew that after his crucifixion, these men would need to defend themselves. I Samuel 15 speaks of a time that Samuel told Saul to smite or kill all the Amalekites, including their flocks. Saul disobeyed Samuel and kept the best of the flocks and allowed Agag, King of the Amalekites to live. Samuel, the man of God, then did what Saul should have done and hewed Agag in pieces "before the Lord." On Memorial Day, we honor those who gave their lives for the freedoms we enjoy in our country today. One of the greatest principles of human life is the motivation to serve. The principle of service is more powerful than financial rewards. The return of Christ gives man a motive to be a doulos, a bond servant by choice, which is the highest type of heroism. Ephesians 6 exhorts us to "be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." It is not our own strength, intellect, or academic credentials in which we are to be strong, but rather our faith in the living God. We are to put on all that God has provided us as armament against the wiles of the devil. David was a hero – a man of "velvet and steel." At the end of his life, David spoke of how a man leads and conducts himself with the people of God. He knew he was to be tender and loving to God’s people. But when he stood against the enemies of God, he was strong in the Lord and the power of his might. Goliath was really big. The people of Israel were terrified of him. Yet David, in his youth, knew that the living God would deliver them out of the hand of the Philistiens. When he killed Goliath with the stone, he then cut off his head and carried it around in victory. II Samuel speaks of the last days of David. It also describes three men who stood with David as "mighty men." These mighty men called David the "light of Israel." They knew of his sins, but they saw David’s life and heart. His leadership was honest and the people loved him in spite of his transgressions. He led his people into victory against their enemies by his faith in the power of the living God. God is no less the God of His people today. Ephesians 6:10 says we are to be "strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." We are not to let anything or anyone intimidate us. We reside in the power of his might. We are to pray fervently, operating the spirit of God He has given us. We can then watch God bring to pass the victories in our lives.