Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:10-17
"What are you doing, Thomas?" William stared at his little brother in shock. "Mom, come quick!"
Mom came running into the room. "Who got hurt?" she asked, then frowned. "Thomas, why in the world are you standing on a Bible?"
Thomas grinned. "We learned about it in Sunday school today. The Bible is God's Word, and we're supposed to stand on it!" He thrust his hand into the air.
William began to laugh. "Thomas, you're not supposed to actually stand on the Bible. That's just a fancy way to talk."
Now Mom laughed. "You mean a figure of speech?"
"Yeah, that," William agreed, eyeing the Bible. "We aren't supposed to stand on the Bible, we're supposed to read it."
"Then why do we sing about standing on it?" Thomas stepped onto the floor, looking confused.
"Standing on the Bible means standing firm in its truth." Mom picked up the Bible and flipped to Ephesians 6. "Sometimes people explain ideas using things we're familiar with to help us understand. The armor of God is a good example. Is the armor of God actual armor that you need to buckle and fasten?"
Thomas shook his head. "No, but that would be cool. I could be like a knight!"
"Ephesians 6:10 tells us to be strong in the Lord," continued Mom. "The devil tries to get us to doubt God's goodness and His promises in the Bible and give in to sinful temptations. Standing firm means remembering that God is so good that He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins and that Jesus gives us the strength to resist temptation. It means trusting that Jesus's sacrifice saves us from sin completely and being confident in God's endless love for us. As we learn what the Bible says about Jesus and embrace its truth, it helps us stand firm against the devil's tricks."
"So, instead of standing on the Bible, we want the Bible inside us?" asked Thomas.
William frowned. "What? You don't eat the Bible either!"
"Memorizing means the verses are stuck inside my brain," Thomas explained. "So, if the Bible is stuck inside my brain, then I can stand on its truth!" Thomas threw his fist into the air again, making both Mom and William laugh.
–Kimberly Brokish
How About You?
Are you standing firm in the truth of God's Word? Satan is very tricky, and he wants all of us to sin and doubt God. But the Bible tells us the truth about God's goodness and His love for us. It tells us how we have the power to resist sin through Jesus. By reading God's Word, memorizing it, and learning about it with others, we can equip ourselves to stand firm against the devil's lies by remembering the strength we have in Jesus.
Today's Key Verse:
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground. (NIV) (Ephesians 6:13)
Today's Key Thought:
Stand firm in God's Word
