The weapon of righteousness
The weapons of the strong are smashed to pieces,
while the weak are infused with fresh strength. ~ 1 Samuel 2:4 (MSG)
Paul wrote: In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind... We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. ~ 2 Corinthians 6:4,7 (NLT)
KEY THOUGHT:
Don't underestimate the power behind the weapon of righteousness.
PRAYER:
Almighty God, I confess that as I look at the state of the world around me I feel defeated. But as I read 2 Corinthians 6 I realized that I am underestimating the power of righteousness to crush evil. Lift my head up so that I can patiently wait without anxiety the victory that you have in mind. I'm going to confidently carry my weapon of righteousness. Amen.
TRANSLATIONS
ABP = Authorized Boydston Paraphrase — my own freestyle biblical adaptation — somewhere between paraphrase, commentary, and sermon
CEB = Common English Bible (©2011, the Common English Bible)
CEV = Contemporary English Version (©1995, American Bible Society)
MSG = The Message (©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)
NIRV = New International Reader's Version (©1996, 1998, Biblica)
NIV = New International Version (©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica)
NLT = New Living Translation (©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, Tyndale House Foundation)
