IN HEAVENLY PLACES
By Jerelyn Pearson
I want to share with you a realization that has encouraged me in my prayer life.
I am my granddaughter Alex's partner in her Music for Kids class. Every week I take her to class and participate in her lesson. One of the requirements of the class is that she practice at least five days each week. Everyone in the family is committed to and supportive of Alex's participation in Music Class. She gets lots of encouragement. But in time, Alex became resistant and uncooperative, not wanting to practice. This was not her normal behavior pattern.
It was at this point that I began a new Bible study titled The Armor of God. From the first lesson a major emphasis was placed on prayer as an inherent part of spiritual warfare.
Let's begin with the familiar "Armor of God" passage.
Ephesians 6:10-18:
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 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.
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.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
I love to find examples where the Old Testament truths are brought to light in the New Testament. So here is an example of the armor in the Old Testament.
The iniquities of the people have separated them from God. In detail Isaiah lays out examples of their iniquities before the Lord.
Isaiah 59:15-17:
15 ... and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.
16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.
17 For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.
Let's go back to Ephesians 6 and the realization that has encouraged me in my prayer life. We are instructed to "put on the whole armor of God"..."praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit..." Prayer and putting on the whole armor of God go to together. They are inseparable.
So we stand wearing the armor of God, praying always in the Spirit, ready for battle.
With whom do we not wrestle? With whom do we wrestle? Where is our battle?
Ephesians 6:12:
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.
We know from Ephesians 1:3 that we have been blessed by God with all spiritual blessings.
Ephesians 1:3:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings (where?) in heavenly places in Christ:
Where is Christ?
Ephesians 1:20:
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand (where?) in the heavenly places,
Where is Christ in relation to principality, power, might, dominion (remember, they are in heavenly places too) and every name that is named in this world and that which is to come?
Ephesians 1:21:
Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
Where are all things in relation to him?
Ephesians 1:22-23:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
The principalities and powers are under his feet. He is the head of the church which is his body.
Where are we?
Ephesians 2:5-7:
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
So if the principalities and powers in high places are under Christ's feet, and HE is the head of the church which is his body, then we are also above the principalities and powers.
So we are not defenseless fighting the battles of our circumstances against earthly opponents. We are called to put on the armor of God, to pray always in the Spirit, to fight not against flesh and blood but against spiritual powers in high places where we are seated together in Christ Jesus.
So how has this realization affected my personal prayer life?
I am still Alex's partner in Music for Kids. While I have continued to pray about the circumstances, I have also been praying in the Spirit, above the circumstances, thanking God for equipping me to fight the spiritual battle beyond the circumstances in Heavenly places.
I'm happy to say that there has been a marked change in Alex's behavior. She is cooperative and enjoying her newly acquired skill of playing with both hands together. Not only is she cooperative to practice, but she also enjoys playing her songs for other family members and is looking forward to playing a solo for her class at our next lesson.
In this case I have witnessed a change in circumstances, but whether or not that happens; whether we see immediate change, later change, or not until eternity, it is encouraging to know that in spiritual battles we wield a mighty sword, which is the Word of God.