This morning’s devotion is based on Week 3 of Cross Examined: Why are you sleeping? (LISTEN HERE)
I’m always impressed when I visit a fire station. While I haven’t been to many, there is a common theme in each of them.
They are ready.
The gear of each firefighter is intentionally placed with boots set out, the coat ready to put on and the lower pants ready to pull up. The hoses are cleaned and rolled/folded in such a way so that they will not get tangled when pulled. The gear needed is stowed in proper compartments and the doors of the truck are even open so no time is wasted getting them open.
So when the alarm rings, even if it’s in the middle of the night, it takes very little time to be in the truck with sirens blazing off to the emergency.
It certainly would be cumbersome for a firefighter to wait around in full gear anticipating an emergency, but they have their gear at the ready so whenever the emergency comes, they are ready.
As we examine Jesus’ question, “Why are you sleeping?” this week, it is a reminder to always be ready to face the attacks and temptations of Satan. When we are spiritually asleep we are not ready.
Maybe read this familiar section of Ephesians 6 as if you were living in a spiritual firehouse and had to be ready at a moment’s notice to take on a temptation emergency:
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Can you picture as Satan comes with a temptation that you jump into your Gospel boots, throw on your breastplate of righteousness, strap on the belt of truth, put on your helmet of salvation, hold up your shield of faith and swing away with the sword of the Spirit?
Satan doesn’t have a chance when we are awake, alert and always ready.
It’s no wonder Jesus penetrates our heart with the question, “Why are you sleeping?” He knows temptations are all around us. He doesn’t want to see us fall. He wants us to use the weapons he has gifted to us to win every attack from Satan.
But it means staying awake.
It means being ready.
It means praying in the Spirit and for the Spirit.
So get your physical rest, but stay spiritually alert and ready at all times!
Apply: Which part of the armor of God is often missing for you when temptation comes? How might you be prepared with it the next time Satan attacks?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, as always, thank you for posing penetrating questions that lead us to be stronger spiritually. Keep us spiritually awake and alert so we don’t fall into temptation. AMEN.