Armed and Dangerous, a Study in God's Armor for MenSample

Calling Back-up “And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.” – Ephesians 6:19 How good are you at asking for assistance? Most men kind of fail at this part of life. We’d rather drive around in circles than ask for directions. We’d rather throw out our backs than ask someone to help us pick something up. And we’d rather brood alone in our mancaves over our troubles, like some make-belief Batman, than talk about it with someone. However, here in today’s reading we have the Apostle Paul, asking for assistance. The general of the first century church is calling for back-up. Paul was nothing less than a super-apostle. He probably planted more churches, likely raised more leaders, and discipled more believers than anyone else in the first century. He wrote two thirds of the New Testament. And he did all this by hand, foot, word, and deed. No social media. No Bible apps. No printing press or broadcasting station. No trains or planes. And yet, this guy also came to the end of his rope, needing to call in the cavalry to see the mission through! How about that? Men, if we want to show persistence, we must also be willing to ask assistance! Scripture says that pride comes before the fall. But humility proceeds honor. It takes humility, and heaps of honesty, to ask for help. And if you want to keep pulling forward, you also need to get pushed from behind. In the previous reading we spoke of offering support to others, providing cover-fire in prayer, and carrying one another. But unfortunately, many a man can also get stuck here, thinking that he must always support others, but never ask assistance himself. Yet there’s a balance to it all. Like a strong wall, fortified to defend against the enemy, so we as men are also built in as bricks standing upon other bricks and supporting other bricks that stand upon us. Even the bricks at the bottom of the wall are supported, cemented, by those next to them – built on a firm foundation! If Paul needed to call in reinforcement to complete his mission, don’t you think you do too? Also take note, Paul was not asking others to do his job, or take up his responsibilities, so he could become passive in prison. Instead, he was asking for prayer support to ensure that he would use his idle time intentionally. Focused on fulfilling his life’s mission. When we ask for assistance, our aim is not to give up or surrender. When we call for back-up, our plan is to keep progressing. When we ask for prayer, it is so we can fulfill our purpose. Read Colossians 4:2-6 Check Your Armory: In what areas of your life do you often find it difficult to ask for assistance? How can you know when it is time to call for back-up? Who are the men you can count on to back you up? Where can you find them? What do you need prayer for today? Ask someone to pray with/for you!