Spiritual Ground

In Ephesians 6:13 Paul instructs us to “stand our ground. We put on our armor so that, in the day of evil, we can stand our ground. Have you ever wondered what our ground is? That’s what today’s lesson is about.

In the Old Testament we read about the land God gave the Israelites. It was their inheritance, and they defended their land against invaders. But for us in our times, God has given us each spiritual ground to defend. We live our lives out in a spiritual atmosphere, and how we live our lives determines the inheritance we obtain. Just as the Israelites searched out their boarders to know the extent of what they owned, we also need to search out what God has given us. If we don’t become familiar with what God has given us, then we won’t know what ground to defend, or stand for.

One example of spiritual territory is seen when God gives a man the talent to become a great composer. If that man is uncertain about his gift, it will be hard to convince him to stand against the forces that come against his gift in the circumstances of his life. He may give up composing music when he experiences conflict and opposition, unless he himself is convinced of his gift and calling. What, then, convinces Man of his spiritual territory?

In Acts 17:26-28 we read that God determined the times for us to live on the earth, and the exact locations, or boundaries around us. His purpose was that we would search for and know Him. It is this search that is the key to knowing our God and the ground He has given each one of us. Some men may be content with their surroundings and do not venture out. They are afraid of the unknown and seek to be comfortable with what they know. They find themselves defending their comfortable surroundings against God’s stirrings, for He disturbs them in order to get them to venture out. If a man does not fully inhabit what God has given him, he will build his own little kingdom and live only for himself because his heart does not search for anything better than what he can provide for himself.

A man with adventure in his heart will reach out for God, seeking to know Him in all the circumstances of his life. Because this man goes into the unknown parts of his land he will need the companionship and protection of God. And God will be there with him. The man will be given Wisdom, Knowledge, and Understanding because God knows he will need them in his ventures, and will use them. And he will be given gifts of the Spirit whereby he can better the lives of others. There will be much more in his territory, and much to defend. (At least this man will not find himself fighting against the intrusions of his God).

Today, let us venture out of what is comfortable to us and all that we know, seeking to find God in the circumstances of our day and to serve Him with the gifts He has called us with. If we meet our enemy, God will be standing with us to defend the ground He gave us. Amen.