Proclaim this among the nations:
Consecrate for war;
stir up the mighty men.
Let all the men of war draw near;
let them come up.
Beat your plowshares into swords,
and your pruning hooks into spears;
let the weak say,
“I am a warrior.” Joel 3:9-10
Listening to a sermon today, I heard Bill Johnson use this phrase "
Let the weak say I am strong." I like how the ESV says "I am a warrior." This is why spiritual disciplines are important. Discipleship is an intentional, active, daily following of Jesus Christ. We are all wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked without him, but there is no reason to remain in that state. God's plan for the whole world is restoration and the renewal of man as God created him. Those who follow Christ and wait on the Lord will be renewed and filled with his strength. Spiritual disciplines strengthen the inner man, focus the mind on Christ, and prepare us for the battles to come. Bill Johnson went on to say "
Take responsibility for your place...become one who influences the world around you." Recognize where God has placed you and step up. Take responsibility to be Christ in those places and situations. Allow self to be denied so that Christ can begin to influence the world around you through your life. Let the weak say in Christ, because of Christ, I am strong!