"A man who has no consistent views of truth is just the man for the adversary successfully to assail." - Barnes' Notes
"The more truth is opposed, the faster we should cling to it." - The Biblical Illustrator
In waiting upon the Lord for a message for this Update, He dropped the words into my spirit - "gird up your loins." Hence, I believe that this is a "word" for the Church in this hour.
What does it mean to "gird up your loins"? What does it entail?
First of all, it is important to note that in the days of the ancient Near East, both men and women wore flowing robes. Around this outer garment, they wore a belt or girdle. The flowing robe would not allow the individual to do heavy labor or fight in a battle; hence, necessitating the "girding of one's loins."
One way of describing "girding up your loins" was by lifting up the hem of the tunic...gathering all extra material in front of the person...pulling it underneath and between the legs to the rear... gathering half of the material in each hand... bringing it back around to the front... and then tying two handfuls of the material together. The effect was that it appeared as a pair of shorts - providing more freedom of movement.
Another way of describing it was by simply girding or tying up the flowing robe by a sash or a girdle about the body. The individual was now ready for both hard labor or battle.
When the Lord gave me this word, I believe that He was - in a sense - saying - "Prepare and strengthen yourself for what is to come. Get ready for hard work or labor. 'Man up!'"
Much is implied by the words - "gird up your loins." Let's consider this for a moment.
In Luke 12:35, Jesus said - "Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning."
What He meant here was to be in readiness for business. In other words, be ready, active, diligent, and determined. Prepare yourself as one who is about to take a journey. Let every earthly care be removed. Treat the laying up of earthly goods with indifference. Let every obstacle and all hindrances be put out of the way - so that you may perform your service with greater strength, more ease, and a quicker dispatch.
Your "lights" are to be continuously burning. This proposes that the Scriptures of truth - your "torch" - should always be held in your hand - guiding and directing you. It also implies that your "lamp" or "light" of profession should be kept clear and bright - having "good works" confirming it.
It is interesting to note that the Apostle Paul mentioned "truth" as a "girdle" when describing the battle gear of the Christian in Ephesians 6:14 - "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth..."
It is crucial that you "gird up your loins with truth" when in battle. The way you do that is by taking care to be enriched with the truths of God's Holy Word. Also, by praying for the constant aid of the Spirit of Truth.
Just as the "girdle" keeps all the parts of the armor in their proper place, even so does "truth" brace you up. It gives consistency and firmness to your conduct. It preserves you from lax views of morals, duty, and religion. It makes your soul sincere, firm, constant, and always on its guard.
Jesus said - "Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning." Paul said - "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth..."
What they both were attesting is your need to prepare yourself by becoming enriched with the truths of God's Word. As you do this, the Holy Spirit will work on removing all obstacles and hindrances - making you ready for the Kingdom business at hand (whether it be running, laboring, or warring).
Then, in 1 Peter 1:13, the Apostle Peter added - "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind..."
Once again, we have the allusion to the loose, flowing robes of the Orientals which needed to be bound close to themselves when running, fighting, or applying themselves to any business.
It is so important that your "mind" is "girded up." With a tightened "belt," you can do better work, run a better race, be better ready for battle, and be better fitted for the best service that King Jesus demands. With your "girdle" compact, you have settled convictions of divine truth - avoiding all loose convictions regarding spiritual and eternal things. You have stability, contentment, and influence. When others are weak and vacillating, you are stable and helpful.
This teaching of "girding up the loins of your mind" is so necessary for today. In fact, it is said by some to be the chief motive for action, holiness, and watchfulness.
Its definition is to be thoroughly bold, genuine, and sincere - maintaining your faith, courage, and expectation to the end. It is a phrase that denotes preparation and readiness - being equipped, prompt, and inflexible in your business. It also denotes being in a fit position to do anything - whether to run the race set before you or to fight the Lord's battles - being strong in the defense of the Gospel and against its enemies.
It entails gathering in your affections - not allowing them to hang loose and neglected. It also entails restraining extravagances...disengaging from all that would hinder you...and going on bravely in your obedience.
Your life must be concentrated. You have to be determined and decisive. You do not have any strength to spare. You cannot afford to let any of it leak away. Hence, you must be firm in bringing all of your faculties to bear on one point and then exert them to that one end.
You have to be unyielding and consistent. You cannot be fickle. You cannot afford to fritter your life away upon trifles. With an undivided heart, you have to live your life to a given purpose.
Remember, you have a journey to go...a race to run...a warfare to accomplish...and a great work to perform.
Hence, "gird up the loins of your mind" - which involves "girding up" all wrong thoughts...carnal tendencies...moral indifferences...and earthly sympathies - which would definitely impede your progress.
The Prophet Jeremiah was told by the Lord in Jeremiah 1:17 - "Thou therefore gird up thy loins..."
The first sign that a man was in earnest about his work was he would gather his skirts about him and tuck them into his girdle. This is exactly what God told Jeremiah to do.
Christian service demands concentration. Jeremiah was required by God to steadfastly prepare for the appointed task ahead of him. God did not want a passive submission to His will. Nor could He be faithfully served with indolence.
Jeremiah had to be employed without distraction. He had to free himself from all those things which would unfit or hinder him for service...buckle to it with readiness and resolution...and be quick, bold, busy, and faithful in carrying out his assignment.
In 1 Kings 18:46, we find that another prophet is required by God to "gird up his loins" - "And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel."
The Prophet Elijah tucked up his long garments in his girdle so that he could run ahead of King Ahab's chariot fourteen (14) miles across the plain to Jezreel. God had a message to get across to King Ahab. Hence, He had a task for His prophet which required Elijah's readiness and resolution.
God gave His prophet a "spirit of strength" which - in turn - gave Elijah supernatural strength of body and courage and fortitude of mind. God wanted Ahab to see His peculiar influence and inspiration working in and through His prophet. And indeed he did - as Elijah "girded up his loins" in preparation for the journey.
God has a message for you today. That message is - "gird up your loins."
We, in America, are a month away from the most crucial election that our nation has ever faced. Is it any wonder that God is speaking such a "word" to His Church in this hour?
It is a time like never before to "gird up your loins" and go to battle for this nation. Not only is your future at stake, but that of your children and grandchildren as well.
Hence, obey the "word" of the Lord and - "Prepare and strengthen yourself for what is to come. Get ready for hard work or labor. 'Man up!'" Let all hindrances be removed out of the way. Take care to be enriched with the truths of God's Holy Word. Also, be praying for the constant aid of the Spirit of Truth. Be courageous, genuine, and sincere. Gather in your affections. Bring all of your faculties to bear on one point and exert them to that one end.
Jeremiah and Elijah faced opposing forces of evil just like you and me. But they were sure to "gird up their loins" before facing the enemy. We cannot afford to do otherwise.
We, at Walking In Truth Ministry, are heeding the "word" of the Lord given in this message. We are "girding up our loins" as we prepare for war against the forces of evil that are contending for America at this time. We are also looking to the Lord for His "hand to be upon us" - enabling us to see mighty feats accomplished in His name through our prayers. We pray the same for you.
To all those who faithfully support us every month with your financial gift, we want to say - "Thank You" - from the bottom of our hearts. We could never have accomplished all that we are doing without your help! May the Lord reward you richly in this life and in the life to come! We know that He will!
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Walking In Truth Ministry
P.O. Box 383016
Duncanville, TX 75138-3016
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Thank you ahead of time for your gracious gift,
Connie
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. (Isaiah 54:17)
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