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READ:

Isaiah 26:4

⁴ Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.

EXHORTATION:

Dark clouds of calamities were gathering over the people of Israel. The peril that the LORD had warned for so long was almost upon them. However, the prophet encouraged the genuine believers among them with these words: “Trust ye in the LORD for ever”. He was urging the believers to keep and rest their confidence in the LORD at all times, even in times of adversity, affliction, persecution, poverty, ridicule or any kind of trial.

Trusting in the LORD always, come what may, indicates our submission to His will. It means we are assured that whatever He wills to do in our lives is right. This was the spirit of the patriarch Job who (amidst all his trials) could say, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15). When besieged by many troubles, we must habitually put our trust in Him, cleaving to Him and seeking to please Him to prove our unwavering faith in Him. In pain, let us call on Him. In anxiety, let us hope in Him. In weakness, let us lean on Him for strength. Trust the LORD for everything and with everything.

The encouragement to trust in the LORD is also given in our text. It tells us, “for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength”. Our encouragement to trust the LORD at all times is based on the everlasting strength of God. In order to strengthen our confidence in the LORD, His name is here emphasised and exalted as “the LORD JEHOVAH”. In the original Hebrew text, we have a repetition of the name JEHOVAH (Yâhovah) – first, a contracted form of the name (yah), and then the name (Yâhovah). The purpose of employing both forms of the name is to call emphatic attention to all that His name implies – His glory, power, wisdom, holiness, mercy, faithfulness, etc. – and to excite the highest admiration and confidence. He is the unchanging covenantal God of His people in all circumstances.

Moreover, we are reminded that there is everlasting strength in the LORD JEHOVAH. The phrase “everlasting strength” in the Hebrew text literally reads “the rock of ages”. The idea is that God is firm and unchangeable like an eternal rock, and therefore we can count on Him as our ever-present help. The LORD JEHOVAH is a safe refuge for us to run into when the storms and tempests of trouble blow hard against us. Let us find our strength in the Almighty, the LORD JEHOVAH. We are strong when we trust in our eternally mighty God. Let us cultivate an unflinching trust in an unchanging God!

READ:

Isaiah 26:3

³ Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

EXHORTATION:

Have you ever considered, “What is it that hinders peace in your heart?” Whenever man fails to be in communion with God, he is unplugged from the true and ultimate source of peace. For God has revealed Himself in the Scriptures as “the God of peace” (cf. Romans 15:33; Romans 16:20; Philippians 4:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 3:16; Hebrews 13:20). So, whatever hinders man’s communion with God also hinders his peace.

Because sin hinders man from enjoying God’s presence and communion (cf. Psalm 5:4; 1 John 1:6-7; 2 Corinthians 6:14-16), it also obstructs God’s peace from flowing unto him (Isaiah 48:22; 57:21; Romans 3:17). Besides sin, lack of faith in God disconnects one from peace. Isaiah the prophet foretold of great “woe” (not peace) that would come upon the Jews who would trust in wealth, human strength and idols instead of their God. He forewarned them in Isaiah 30:1, “Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin.” Again in Isaiah 31:1, he said, “Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots … but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!” So Psalm 146:3 admonishes us, “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.”

Only genuine trust in God and His promises can secure peace. The mind that has confidence in God shall not be frantic or distraught when it is struck by severe trials like persecution, poverty, sickness, or bereavement. Isaiah was addressing the Jews who would in the near prophetic future be stripped of their possessions and be carried away to a far distant land as captives and slaves. Despite being humiliated and subjected to great reproaches and scorn, the remnant Jews’ confidence in God would not be shaken. They would still trust in Him and believe that He could and would make a way for them. Their mind would thus be kept in perfect peace. The phrase “perfect peace” in Hebrew is “peace, peace”; such a repetition of the word denotes emphasis, and here it evidently points to undisturbed, perfect peace. So it has been with thousands and thousands of the persecuted and afflicted people of God, including His martyrs. When they committed their cause to Him amidst the storms of persecution, in the prison and even at the stake, the Lord kept them all in perfect peace.

READ:

Ephesians 6:17

¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

EXHORTATION:

The fifth piece of armour that God has given to Christians for their spiritual battle is “the helmet of salvation”. The helmet protected the head, the most vital and most often targeted part of the soldier’s body. Scarcely would a warrior rush off to battle without taking his helmet with him. Even modern troops always have their helmets on when they report for duty, which is all the more needful when in the thick of battle.

But what is the helmet of salvation? To be sure, the helmet of salvation is not worn as a means to getting saved. Rather, it means being assured of one’s salvation. It is all about a Christian’s need to cultivate a strong assurance regarding his salvation though Satan’s attacks at times may seem so overwhelming. It is the assurance that he will neither be debilitated nor destroyed in the midst of battle.

In order to grasp the significance of “the helmet of salvation”, one must understand the three aspects of salvation as found in the Scriptures; i.e. those who are justified will be sanctified and ultimately, glorified. When Satan harasses and confronts us with numerous trials, let us look forward to the day when we shall be with our Lord Jesus forever. The day is coming when sin and Satan can no longer molest us. So let us never quit, no matter how malicious the devil’s threat is. We must fight on as we continue to don this helmet of salvation until the day of glorification.

The sixth piece of armour that God has given to Christians for their spiritual battle is “the sword of the Spirit”. The first five components of God’s armour that Paul has enumerated thus far have been primarily for defensive purposes. This one last piece, however, gives both defensive and offensive might to those who carry it to battle. The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit because it is the Holy Spirit who handed this sword over to God’s people for their use. Because the Word of God wields the omnipotent power of the Spirit, it helps us to put our enemy, the devil, to flight. That was what happened to Satan who came to tempt the Lord Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). Jesus merely brandished the Spirit’s sword by saying, “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve” (Matthew 4:10). Then the devil fled and the battle ended, just like that.

READ:

Ephesians 6:16

¹⁶ Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

EXHORTATION:

The fourth piece of armour that God has given to Christians for their spiritual battle is “the shield of faith”. The type of shield mentioned here is thureon in Greek. This is the original word that is translated as “shield” in this verse. This shield, measuring 4½ feet by 2½ feet, was made of a thick and hard wooden plank, covered with either metal or leather. The metal would deflect the enemies’ arrows, while the leather was treated with some oil to extinguish the fiery pitch on the arrows. This shield was designed for maximum protection and deployed for a specific strategy in a major battle.

Verse 16 opens with the two words, “Above all”, to convey to the readers that over and above the already-mentioned armour components in the preceding verses, here is another vital piece that the Christian soldier should also bring with him to battle. It simply means that in addition to the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness and the gospel-shoes, the believer must take up the shield of faith.

Every soldier who has already taken up these pieces of armour, as mentioned in verses 14 and 15, will have the shield of faith as an added protection. “Faith” mentioned here is the faith that we place in Christ as we come to Him, knowing that He will give us full salvation. It expresses a strong confidence in the Saviour and His promises to forgive, save and secure forever. Such faith will persevere amidst sufferings, we having been persuaded that our Lord is faithful to keep all His promises. This was Paul’s sentiment expressed in 2 Timothy 1:12: “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”

The very same shield of faith protects us from Satan’s fiery darts. The “fiery darts of the wicked” refer to the devil’s fearsome attacks on the believer to destroy his faith. These fiery darts hurled at the believer may vary in frequency and intensity. He often sends fiery trials (1 Peter 4:12) and fiery temptations of lust (1 Corinthians 7:9). But if we stand with the shield of faith, we can overcome the enemy and emerge victorious.

We know that it is the Great Commission of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ unto His followers to: “Go … and teach all nations” (Matt. 28:19), emphasising the need to spread His Biblical truths across linguistic and national barriers. One of the most effective ways to do this is by translating sound Biblical materials into different languages. Good translation of Biblical materials ensures that people from diverse linguistic backgrounds can receive the truths of God’s Word in a way that speaks to their hearts and minds.

The following are reasons why we should attempt, as the Lord enables, to make sound materials available in local languages within mission stations.

• Millions still do not speak English around the world. Without translation, they may never fully grasp the depth and richness of Scriptural truths.
• Translating Gospel tracts and other evangelistic materials helps to spread the Gospel to the unregenerated in the non-English-speaking world.
• Translating Biblical materials gives non-English-speaking people access to the foundational teachings of Biblical Christianity. It helps individual believers grow in their knowledge and service of God. When people can read and understand Biblical truths in their own language, they are more likely to engage with the message and apply it to their lives.
• Translating sound Biblical materials ensures that God’s people are warned and equipped against fast-spreading false teachings worldwide. Misinformation and misinterpretation lead to doctrinal errors and unbiblical living, which destroy churches.
• Translating sound Biblical materials equips missionaries, indigenous preachers, evangelists and churches with excellent tools for evangelism, discipleship and equipping of future church leaders. When discipleship materials are available in their native tongue, believers will be better equipped to share the Word to edify local congregations.
• Translated theological materials provide pastors and church leaders, who may not have access to formal theological education, an opportunity to learn and benefit thereby. For this purpose, theological books, study guides, and sermons must be accurately translated. 
• Translated Christian materials help to quell the idea that Christianity is a foreign religion, and also to instil the understanding that God’s message of salvation is meant for all the peoples of the world.

So, in our humble ways, we also try to make our Bible Witness Literature available to non-English speakers in our mission fields. Several brethren in our mission stations are trying to translate our Gospel tracts, devotional books and other materials, that these may be printed in the coming years. 

• Let us pray to God for this ministry:
• for faithful and skilled men and women, who are willing to labour in the translation of Biblical materials sacrificially.
• for funds needed to support the translation and printing of Biblical materials.
• for the Spirit of God to comfort and embolden those who serve in translation work to overcome obstacles and difficulties, and complete the works they have undertaken. 

Sermon Text: Psalm 106:1–48
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 16th March 2025

READ:

Ephesians 6:15

¹⁵ And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

EXHORTATION:

The third piece of armour that God has given to Christians for their spiritual battle is very crucial: the shoes of the Gospel of peace.

A Roman soldier would not go to battle wearing ordinary shoes with slick or worn-out soles. If he did, he would not get a firm foothold while marching through various kinds of ground. Roman soldiers were equipped with shoes that would last for long journeys, for they would often march over vast expanses of rugged terrain. Many battles had been lost just because soldiers were not fitted with shoes that were thick and durable enough. A firm footing was necessary for the soldier to charge forward in the battle. It would help him to hold his ground and make quick moves without slipping, sliding or falling.

Herein Paul employs an unusual expression that speaks of having our feet fitted with the “preparation of the gospel of peace”. The word “preparation” signifies “a prepared base” or “a foundation”, which has already been laid. In other words, the firm foundation of the Gospel of peace enables the Christian soldier to stand firm, and not slip and fall.

The Gospel of peace is the Gospel of Christ that brings peace to us. The Gospel of Christ reconciles us to God and thus helps us to be at peace with God. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). What great steadfastness of soul characterises one who can say, “Christ is mine! The enmity is gone! I am forgiven.” A Christian needs to have a strong assurance so that he will not fear though Satan may be hard on his heels in hot pursuit. He who is shod with the Gospel of peace will be able to tread firmly on his feet.

The Christian with feet well shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace will not only be able to stand his ground in the day of evil, but also he can go forth to battle under Christ’s banner with a readiness to publish the Gospel of good tidings. How wonderful it would be indeed if every soldier of Christ is not only engaged in battle, but also occupied with advancing and disseminating the Gospel of peace to the far corners of the world. As it is written: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” (Isaiah 52:7; cf. Roman 10:15).

READ:

Ephesians 6:14

¹⁴ Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.

EXHORTATION:

The first piece of the armour of God that a Christian is presented with is the belt of truth. Our chief adversary, the devil, is a liar and master deceiver (cf. John 8:44b; Acts 13:10; 2 Corinthians 11:3, 13-15; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10; Revelation 20:2-3). He uses his lies as a lethal weapon against God’s people, and because of this, the apostle Paul expressed his concern to the Corinthians about the real danger of their being beguiled by Satan (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:3).

What does Paul mean by “having your loins girt about”? In the apostolic period, the Roman soldiers wore loose robes. These soldiers would not go into a battle with their tunics impeding their movements. It was dangerous to be entangled in their own robes while the enemy closed in on them for the kill. So what they did was to gather up their clothing and tuck it under their belt, as they prepared to fight the battle. This is what Paul referred to as “having your loins girt about”. This act of girding up the loins was a picture of preparedness or readiness. Thus, having one’s “loins girt about with truth” implies wearing the truth as a tight lash to gird up one’s thoughts, desires and actions. Just as a Roman soldier girds his loins to prevent his tunic from obstructing his movements, the Christian must also tuck his life under the belt of God’s truth, even His Word. “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier” (2 Timothy 2:4).

The second piece of armour that God has given to Christians for their spiritual battle is “the breastplate of righteousness”. The breastplate protects the soldier’s vital organs like the heart, liver, lungs and kidneys from being pierced by the enemies’ weaponry. For the Christian soldier, the breastplate of righteousness is the vital protection against the deadly pierce of sin. A believer who lives unrepentantly in his sins will become the target of Satan’s attack. He will try to discourage and even prevent such a one from making spiritual advancement. The only defence against the devil’s deadly blow precipitated by our sinfulness, is the imputed righteousness of Christ upon the believer. When we trust Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins, God justifies and sanctifies us as He imputes His righteousness upon us. Being clothed with the righteousness of Christ, believers ought to live in His righteous ways to leave no room at all for harassment from Satan.

READ:

Ephesians 6:13

¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

EXHORTATION:

Christians need to arm themselves with “the whole armour of God” for their “adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Our enemies are more than flesh and blood. In Ephesians 6:12, Paul says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” The devil has set against Christians a great many demonic forces, worldly and fleshly lusts, unbelieving people, etc. All these are constantly trying to bring down Christians through satanic devices.

This being a spiritual warfare, “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal” (2 Corinthians 10:4a). Christians are provided with the “armour of God”, which is “mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” (2 Corinthians 10:4b). The Christian soldier’s armour is wholly spiritual. The spiritual armaments provided by God are best suited for defeating the devices of Satan. No better armoury can a man find for spiritual victory than that which God has provided for him. According to Ephesians 6:14-17, the whole armour of God consists of (i) the belt of truth, (ii) the breastplate of righteousness, (iii) the shoes of the preparation of the Gospel of peace, (iv) the shield of faith, (v) the helmet of salvation, and (vi) the sword of the Spirit. The armour of God is indispensable, and also ever accessible. What glorious and powerful protective gear the Lord has given to us!

Christians must always be ready with the whole armour of God – that is an absolute necessity to fight the good fight. It is very foolish for a soldier to enter the battlefield without his armour, yet many Christians do this every day; being utterly defenceless, they become easy prey.

Christians are also called to stand firm in the evil day - when is “the evil day”? Though every day can be said to be an “evil day”, it refers to a day when the forces of the devil continuously pounce on a believer. It is the day of test! It can be today or tomorrow. Hence, having done all things in preparation for the battle, we must stand our ground. Christians must not become indolent or lazy. Neither should they become fearful. Even when they have gained victory over a certain satanic assault, they must brace themselves for the next battle. Fight for Christ to the end of your life!

READ:

1 Corinthians 1:9

⁹ God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

EXHORTATION:

As Christians, one of our greatest consolations is that we have an unchanging, ever dependable, true and faithful God. Our circumstances may change, people whom we have relied on for a long time may change; but He who has called us “unto the fellowship of His Son” will unchangeably remain as our endless help and strength.

God will also remain faithful to all His promises. He will not fail to perform what He has promised. We can trust Him to keep every word He has promised. He will not deceive us. He will not commence anything which He will not perfect and finish. Our confidence in the blessed hope that Christianity gives to us is wholly built upon the faithfulness of God.

The apostle Paul’s purpose in presenting the truth about God’s faithfulness here is to provide the proof for his earlier statement that the believers will be kept blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. In other words, their ultimate bliss in heaven is guaranteed by the fidelity of God. As Paul said in Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”.

Paul also reminds the believers that they have been called by God. He said to them, “ye were called”. It is God who called them. The word “called” here does not refer merely to an invitation, but what the theologians refer to as “the effectual calling”. When the Gospel call is given to repent and to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, some hearers will reject it. But some others would experience a deep-felt, inward call to repent and believe on Christ. Those who are effectually called do not just receive the external call of the Gospel, but also the inner call of the Gospel by the working of the Holy Spirit in their hearts. Westminster Shorter Catechism explains effectual calling as “the work of God’s Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel” (Q & A: 31).

When God calls us, He leads us into a close fellowship or communion with His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Then onwards, we shall enjoy a warm and abiding relationship with Christ. Let us always seek to walk with Christ.