Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Eph 6:17 NIV)

The helmet of salvation is part of the Christian’s protective armour, while the sword of the Spirit is an assaultive weapon. That’s the word of God. It brings the joyful news of our salvation. However it also is a dangerous weapon. It is the source for all deadly arrows to shoot at the enemy. Every soldier does not only bear the brunt of attacks, but would rather attack and afflict mortal wounds himself. So even while we are messengers of peace and even bear a lot of injustice, discrimination and persecution, yet as confessors of the truth we too wield the powerful word of God as a mighty, powerful weapon. Jesus Christ himself, the lamb of God bearing the sins of the world during his vicarious suffering and dying, still fought a mighty battle and bore down to bear mortal blows on his and God’s frightful foes. His battle was not just won by suffering and endurance, but he also fought the most effective battles with the almighty word and truth of his.

The entire spiritual warfare against the power of the evil one is fought in such darkness, that most don’t even see the dreadful foe, they don’t even realize there are fiery arrows flying about and they even go so far as to deny the very existence of any battle or strive. The souls that are awake however know what is going on and they are quite aware of the severity of this warfare. Sometimes they perceive the dreadful abyss into which all of humanity is threatening to fall. Yet the call is sounded to stand fast, not to give up or fall into despair. Therefore fight the good fight of faith and remain faithful unto death +

O Lord God, heavenly Father! Support us with your grace, so that we may resist all temptations successfully and retain victory through all hardship. If we stumble, lift us up; if we fall, stretch out your mighty hand to pick us up. Lead us continuously with your truth and teach us for you are our God, who helps. Every day we wait on you. Recall not our trespasses and iniquities, rather remember us in your mercy and forgiving goodness. Grant us respite from our troubles. Forgive us all our sins and in all our tribulations and conflicts ensure us of your fatherly love and mercy. In all battles fill us with your grace and there in victory with the joy and bliss of eternal salvation. We ask this for Jesus Christ’s sake – he our Lord and saviour. Amen. (J.Arndt)

O God, forsake me not! Your gracious presence lend me; Oh, lead your helpless child; Your Holy Spirit send me That I my course may run. Be you my light, my lot, My staff, my rock, my shield. O God, forsake me not!

O God, forsake me not! Take not your Spirit from me; Do not allow the night Of sin to overcome me. Increase my feeble faith, Which you yourself have wrought. Be you my strength and power. O God, forsake me not!

O God, forsake me not! Lord, hear my supplication! In every evil hour Help me resist temptation; And when the prince of hell My conscience seeks to blot, Be then not far from me. O God, forsake me not!

O God, forsake me not! My heart your grace addressing, O Father, God of love, Grant me your heavenly blessing  To do when duty calls Whatever you allot,  To do what pleased you. O God, forsake me not!

O God, forsake me not! Lord, I am yours forever. The true faith grant to me; Grant that I leave you never. Grant me a blessed end When my good fight is fought; Help me in life and death. O God, forsake me not! (Salomon Frank, 1659-1725 tr August Crull 1845-1923)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Saturday after the twenty first Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 368 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.