When the Day Comes

 

The Sword

Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground. (Ephesians 6:13)

Clear your mind for a moment and think about three specific days. The first two are Sunday, December 7, 1941, and Tuesday, September 11, 2001. If you’re an American citizen, those first two days are so seared into your memory that their very mention triggers footage in your mind as to what took place.

Now let’s talk about the third day. The third day is still in the future. The third day is personal. The third day is coming for you. The Apostle Paul describes it as “the day of evil.” The day of evil is the next time the devil launches an attack on your Christian faith.

What will that attack look like? Well, that depends. You see, as you read or listen to this message, the devil is already at work. He’s observing you, studying you. He’s recording all your weaknesses. He notes what makes you angry. He notes how you act when you get tired, or irritated, or bored. He keeps track of what pumps up your sinful pride. He pays attention to what makes you feel discouraged. And he watches and remembers every single thing that tends to distract you from your relationship with your Savior.

Then he’ll launch his attack. Tailor made just for you. Often the attack is so subtle it may be difficult for you even to notice. At other time the attack is so sudden you may have trouble even taking in what’s just happened. One thing is for certain. The day of evil is coming...for you. And after that day, another day will come. And another one will come after that.

That’s why we need Jesus. We need him during the summer, the fall, the winter, and spring. We need him on Sunday, and Monday, and Tuesday, and Wednesday, and Thursday, and Friday, and Saturday. There is no vacation from Satan’s attacks and temptations...from the day of evil.

That’s why we need God’s Word to bring us to repentance. That’s why we need the power of his forgiveness. That’s why we need the clarity of his will for our lives. The day of evil is about to arrive. The time to prepare is right now. Put on the full armor of God. Take your stand in Christ and his Word so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground.

Pastor Dennis Himm

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (WELS)

Grand Blanc, MI