Advent 2019 – Day 13

From Fleming Rutledge’s Advent:

“I wonder what you are confronting in your life. Very rarely are we called upon to perform deeds so astonishing that they become legendary. But all of us, every single Christian and every Christian community, are engaged in the struggle with the enemies of God. Each one of you is placed on the battleground somewhere. Are you under pressure from forces outside your control? Are you being called upon for patience that you do not think you have? Are you perhaps wondering if there is anything you can do to be more useful to God in your community and church? Are you struggling with some secret temptation or sin? Is there a burden of sorrow that you carry? Is there something more that you want to do and be? Then take to yourself the armor of God. When we are in need of patience, God clothes us with the patience of Christ himself. When we are emboldened to speak out against prejudice, he puts the sword of the Spirit into our hand. When we are battling pain and doubt, he comes alongside us with the shield of faith—not our faith, but the never-failing faithfulness of Christ granted to us. When we make our stand for life instead of death, he protects us with the helmet of salvation—not any sort of human salvation or victory, but his salvation, his victory.”