For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. Acts 23:8.

Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so that you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Ephesians 6:11-13.

And continuing our 351 Old Testament prophecies, promises of God, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, we come to number 52: David’s house established forever. 2 Samuel 7:16: Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever. And, Luke 3:31; Revelation 22:16: The son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David. “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

In the first Scripture verse above, Paul had been standing before the council in Jerusalem because he had turned away from persecuting the brethren and was teaching about Jesus. But because of the rift of belief between the Sadducees and the Pharisees, of whom Paul was a Pharisee, he appealed to his belief as a Pharisee in the resurrection – because of Jesus who was resurrected! Paul began crying out in the Council, “Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for the hope and resurrection of the dead!” As he said this, there occurred a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. And there occurred a great uproar; and some of the scribes of the Pharisaic party stood up and began to argue heatedly, saying, “We find nothing wrong with this man; suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” And as a great dissension was developing, the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them and ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks. But on the night immediately following, the LORD stood at his side and said, “Take courage, for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.” Acts 23:6-11.

Right after I read that verse from Hearing God by Dallas Willard, I read from You Are the Beloved by Henri Nouwen: “Celebration belongs to God’s Kingdom. God not only offers forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing, but wants to lift up these gifts as a source of joy for all who witness them. In all three of the parables that Jesus tells to explain why He eats with sinners, God rejoices and invites others to rejoice with Him. “Rejoice with me,” the shepherd says, “I have found my sheep that was lost.” “Rejoice with me,” the woman says, “I have found the drachma I lost.” “Rejoice with me,” the father says, “this son of mine was lost and is found.” All these voices are the voices of God. God does not want to keep His joy to Himself. He wants everyone to share in it. God’s joy is the joy of His angels and His saints; it is the joy of all who belong to the Kingdom.”

What is the armor of God? Finally, be strong in the LORD and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with Truth, and having put on the Breastplate of Righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace; in addition to all, taking up the Shield of Faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Ephesians 6:10-17. And all of that, every part of it, is in our closeness with Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit. Jesus told us in this world we will have tribulation. And He told us to take heart because He has overcome the world. And I confess there has been in me a disconnect between those two statements He made…tribulation we have in this world – so very real; and – He has overcome the world – so take heart. And He is helping me see that that disconnect is me standing before a canyon wide and deep. Give it all to Him and remember He is always with me. Not by my power or might. In Him. He is the Way and the Truth and the Life. It isn’t my truth or the “truth” of this world. It is His Truth. His Righteousness the Breastplate He gives. The Gospel of Peace, we can all see in our world that is anything but peaceful, only comes in Him. It is His Faith He gives us that becomes our shield. Salvation He alone provides that is our helmet. The Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God, active and living – the Spirit dwelling within us teaching us. How could I ever have begun to understand without Him? Without Him we are lost. With Him we are found and He rejoices! And everything changes. Our true journey begins! And He is Faithful!