The End of Me

When I have reached the end of me. When I am exhausted. When I feel as though I can’t go on any longer, or there is no strength left to go on. When I reach the end of me, then what do I have left to go on? Only God. For it is here that I cry out, “God, overtake for me!” and stepping in God says, “watch and see.” For when I have reached the “end of me,” it is then that God says, “watch and see.”

And it’s as I write this post that I think about something that’s been very personal to me, as I have, for nearly the last year and a half now been in a battle of “epic” proportions (or so it seems) and for those of you who know me you might be wondering, “what kind of battle?” A spiritual battle. And trust me, when any of us set out to live our lives for God and His glory, then the enemy will rear his ugly head and eventually we will find that we are in a battle – so prepare yourself and “get ready.” For this is the kind of battle I have been in, and though a spiritual battle, it is often that we find and should not be suprised that spiritual battles are always waged against us in the flesh.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12) And this is what we must constantly remind ourselves of that “we wrestle not against flesh and blood,” but instead we need to arm ourselves continuously with the whole armor of God.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6: 13-18)

For it is when we are in the battle that all around us is the clashing of armor, shields, and swords, as God’s angel armies fight against Satan’s demon hordes! And… “what are they fighting for?” For the good of God to triumph over evil! For the light to shine upon the faces of men! Yes, all around us there is a war. Many fall to the righthand and many to the left as the enemy’s trickery overtakes them and again, the clash of swords! And it’s here exhausted I stagger, having reached the “end of me” that I then hear God’s angel army advancing as it yells out, “Victory! Victory! Victory!” For the battle is the Lord’s! Yes, the battle is the Lord’s!

With Whom Do You Wrestle?

And I think this is a good reminder for all of us because I think so often many of us tend to forget; For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12). Or as another translation put it; This is not a wrestling match against a human opponent. We are wrestling with rulers, authorities, the powers who govern this world of darkness, and spiritual forces that control evil in the heavenly world.

“Spiritual forces? Evil?” Yes, evil. And I know, evil’s such an evil word but believe me, it is very real and present and often works so hard at finding ways to wreak havoc on our unsuspecting lives. “Evil?” Yes, evil. “Well, how does one combat evil?” Well, for starters, I’m glad you asked and the word here is “combat.”

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil(Ephesians 6:11).

“Armor?” Yes, armor. “Well, why do I need armor?” Because God is sending you out into combat, you didn’t realize that? Put on the full armor of God… everyday. “Well, what is the full armor of God?” This, this is the full armor of God;

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints (Ephesians 6:14-18).

It’s like this; every morning you get dressed with clothes that you can see but are you thinking before you head out into the day, “there’s an entire war taking place that is completely unseen to me?” and “am I ready? Am I ready for every encounter? Am I ready for whatever God allows to come my way?” Well, are you? Put on the full armor of God… for your wrestle is not against flesh and blood.

In other words, be prepared; your loin cloth of truth, your brestplate of righteousness, your feet shod with peace, your shield of faith, your helmet of salvation, your sword of the Spirit, and lastly your greatest weapon of all, did you notice it? Your prayers. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. “Prayer?” Yes, your prayers.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4). “Pulling down of strongholds?” Yes, the pulling down of strongholds; your prayers.

Got somebody who rubs you the wrong way? Somebody who treats you unfairly? Unjustly? Or maybe somebody who constantly puts obstacles in your path? Or what about somebody you’ve felt lead to intercede for, for whom you’re standing in the gap? In all these situations remember, “with whom do you wrestle?” because it’s not against flesh and blood I can assure you, but more than likely it’s with “the unseen” and to wage war with “the unseen” is to pull out the only weapons you have that are of any use against such things; the full armor of God and to pray without ceasing!