January 20, 2021

Inauguration Day – Kary Niles
January 20, 2021

Today is Inauguration Day. Whether Joe Biden was the person you wanted as president or not, he will be the 46th president of the United States beginning today.

Unlike others, I do not follow the news. It just makes me angry…so I avoid it as much as possible. I know enough to know what’s going on though. I’m not sticking my head in the sand. Recently, I have started to read Decision magazine that is published by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. In recent months, the magazine has contained many eye-opening articles regarding what is going on in our country. It has provided Biblically based information that I have found encouraging. But I also feel like we, as Christians, are going to be facing battles soon.

It reminds me of the kids’ song: “I may never march in the infantry, ride in the cavalry, shoot the artillery, I may never fly over the enemy, but I’m in the Lord’s army. Yes, sir.” If we’re a part of the Lord’s army, we have to put on our armor, right?

Ephesians 6:10-20 (ESV) “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”

I don’t know about you, but I don’t feel ready to do battle…yet. I pray that I’m ready when it comes. That we all are ready. I’m going to leave you with some words I recently came across. They were preached by Vance Havner years ago. They are a great reminder when we think about facing the coming years. He said this: “They can’t take away our wealth, because it’s stored up in Heaven. They can’t take away our freedom, because we’re free in Christ. They can’t take away our happiness, because our joy is within us. They can’t defeat us, because we are more than conquerors. They can’t silence us, because the Word of God cannot be chained. They can’t kill us, because we have eternal life.”