Israel's 5th Crisis--The Victory Found in Prevailing Prayer

Exodus 17:8-16

L/W- In learning of Israel’s 4th Crisis they encountered on their journey, we learned

Israel’s physical thirst was/is the picture of man’s spiritual thirst

Israel’s complaining against the Lord is a picture of their spiritual immaturity/lack of growth & understanding, to which we learned the necessity believers have to grow in the understanding and dependency on God’s Word.

How the Rock in Horeb is/was a picture of Jesus Christ as the Chief Cornerstone/Foundational Stone/Supporting Stone

How the water God produced from the rock is a picture of the Living Water—Jesus Christ

T/W-In Exodus 17:8-16, we learn of Israel’s 5th crisis—warfare and how Moses responded to the conflict

(READ EXODUS 17:8-16)

In Ephesians 6:12, Paul taught the church in Ephesus they, as believers, actually wrestled with, or battled with and it serves as a lesson and reminder for believers today, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

Believers refer to this wrestling as spiritual warfare; the daily battle a believer engages in to, “by the Spirit, “put death the deeds of the flesh,” in order that the believer might live. The spiritual warfare is of an intense nature, due to in part to how contrary one’s sinful nature is to the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:17 “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.”)

The use of “warfare” can be threatening & frightening when it’s applied to the various crises a believer faces—especially when that warfare is launched in our backyard.

This is what happened to Israel during their stay in Rephidim. Amalek and his army came to fight and war against Israel (who they were and where they originated we will get to later). In a broad-stroke look at our verses, however, we find what God intends for us to learn, what He desired for Israel to do and what He desires believers today to do.

Notice, in going through these verses, that the focus is not so much upon the war, but upon what brought the victory—prevailing & persistent intercessory prayer—the crying out to God. Victory over our battles & enemies in life come only from the Lord and the Lord alone—not by or through any other means.

As Israel was attacked and Moses responded in prevailing and persistent prayer, our duty as believers today is to go before the Lord each and every time the enemy attacks—to cry out to Him for victory. This is the focus and intended lesson—that believers might develop the characteristic of prevailing & persistent prayer in time of warfare

I. (v.8-9) The Crisis Itself

Exodus 17:8–9 “Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said to Joshua, “Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.””

(CONTEXT)

The Amalekites attacked while Israel was camped at Rephidim

Who were the Amalekites?

Desert people, who lived just south of the land of Canaan

Nomadic people, whose influence and reach went from Sinai to Canaan

Bitter, life-long enemies of Israel and the first nation to attack God’s people on their journey

The Amalekites should have known better. Why?

(FIRST, B/C of WHO WERE THEY)The Amalekites were descendants of Esau, making the Amalekites distant cousins of Israel—

Esau, if you remember was the twin brother of Jacob, whom God had given Jacob and his descendants the covenant promise of the promised land.

Esau’s oldest son, Eliphaz was Amalek’s father, making Esau Amalek’s grandfather

Genesis 36:15–16 “These were the chiefs of the sons of Esau. The sons of Eliphaz, the firstborn son of Esau, were Chief Teman, Chief Omar, Chief Zepho, Chief Kenaz, Chief Korah, Chief Gatam, and Chief Amalek. These were the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom. They were the sons of Adah.”

Esau—knowing of the promise, would certainly have shared the promise, with Eliphaz and his grandson Amalek

The promise originally given to Abraham (Genesis 12, 13, and others)

The promise continued with Jacob (Genesis 35:10-11)

“There is every possibility that [the Amalekites] had known about the promise of the land of Canaan that had been given to Esau’s twin brother, Jacob; therefore, they should not have felt any threat to their interests in the Negev had this promise been remembered and taken seriously.”

(SECONDLY, B/C of WHAT GOD HAD PROMISED ABRAHAM)

Genesis 12:3 “I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you, And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.””

“After all, the promise was to be a means of blessing Amalek along with all the other nations (Ge. 12:3) if only they, like Abraham, would have believed. Instead they “came” (wayyabo) and attacked Israel at Rephidim—some distance south of the north-central district of the Sinai where they lived.”

Why they attacked--Amalek and his people, no doubt felt threatened

They would have most certainly heard about Israel being freed from Egypt, possibly the Red Sea, and then their subsequent journey to Canaan

They would have wondered about the intentions of 2-3 million Israelites marching through or close to their land; would they be peaceful or would they attack and ransack them?

The leaders then, b/c of their fear and uncertainty launched a surprise attack against the people of Israel (not the army of Israel)

The attack itself:

Was cruel and savage

First against the handicapped and the helpless, such as the stragglers, the sick, aged, and weary

Deuteronomy 25:17–18 ““Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you were coming out of Egypt, how he met you on the way and attacked your rear ranks, all the stragglers at your rear, when you were tired and weary; and he did not fear God.”

Was a surprise attack against civilians, not an army

Was set on the annihilation of Israel, b/c of prejudice and bitter hatred (the same sins which caused many nations to rise up against Israel)

Psalm 83:4 “They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.””

Psalm 83:7 “Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;”

Moses appointed a commander to organize & mobilize an army to defend Israel (Joshua)-

There is an inference here that Moses had already charged Joshua with mobilizing an army, given the quickness with which Joshua armed, prepared, and mobilized them…leading to the stop of the attack

There is an inference here that Israel would have gathered and/or made weapons:

It was likely that Israel obtained weapons when the people asked for provisions from the Egyptians upon their exodus:

Exodus 12:35 teaches us that Israel asked for articles of gold, silver, and clothing from the Egyptians and that the Egyptians granted them this request

It was also likely, that Israel would have recovered some of the Egyptians’ weapons after the miracle of the Red Sea.

It was also likely, that in appointing Joshua prior to this, Israel, would have been making/fashioning their own weapons as they marched from place to place

Moses promised to seek God, to intercede for Joshua and Israel’s army (v.9)

Joshua was to fight and Moses was to pray

Moses promised to go to the highest hill overlooking the battlefield, to lift up the rod of God, appealing/calling out to God

The rod of God was looked upon as the Banner of Israel and in seeing it lifted up,

They knew Moses was praying and interceding for them

They were encouraged and motivated to fight beyond themselves—b/c they trusted that God would give them victory (When we look/think/dwell on the cross—we see and understand more and more the victory we have in Jesus Christ—that no weapon formed against us will prevail, that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus

(BIBLICAL APPLICATION—YOU and ME)

While it may seem redundant and repetitive to study one crisis after crisis, what God is teaching us through Scripture is the immutable truth,

Believers will continually face the attacks of an unrelenting enemy; whether they be:

Attacks that engage the lust of the flesh

Lust & covetousness

Illicit cravings and desires (immoral relationships, gluttony)

Attacks that engage the lust of the eyes

Greed & materialism

Attacks that engage the pride of life

Fame and recognition

Status and position

Arrogance and pride

Attacks that threaten us to neglect the image we were created in; these may include attacks rooted in

Prejudice and partiality

Loneliness and emptiness

Lust and covetousness

Attacks that threaten our contentment

Fear/worry/anxieties

Sickness/Loss/Death

Loss & death

Believers will face these attacks from (the enemy will use anyone and any situation he can to disrupt the believer’s walk)

Our own sinful nature & flesh

Circumstances and situations within our own friends and family

Sadly, circumstances and situations within the local church

Job situations

Financial situations

More and more

Amidst all of this, however, believers must transition their focus, not so much on the attack, but on only hope they have in attacks---the prevailing and persistent power of prayer, seeking out the help of the Lord

II. (v.10-12) Prevailing and Persistent Prayer

Exodus 17:10–12 “So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.”

(CONTEXT) Note the devotion in Moses to persist in prayer:

Moses prayed while Joshua and Israel fought

Prevailing and persistent prayer is needed when the enemy attacks. Why? Because of the fierceness and relentless nature of attacks; at times it may feel as though:

The temptation won’t let up

The evil thought persists

The lustful thought/notion lingers

The immoral suggestion hangs on

The urge to steal becomes weightier and weightier

The compulsion to lie builds and builds

The act of selfishness pulls harder and harder

The temptation to cheat pulls and pulls

Prevailing and persistent prayer is needed, b/c often times attacks arise

In moments of loneliness

In moments when there’s no one around

In moments when immoral influences are present (through people or circumstances), and especially...

In moments right after obedience

Moses did exactly what he promised to do, why?

Because of the vital importance of prevailing prayer.

When Moses held up his hand and the rod of God, Israel advanced

When Moses’ hand tired and he lowered his arm and the rod, Israel had to retreat under the enemy’s attack

What was the lesson God desired to teach His people here?

Israel was just beginning their journey to the promised land and they needed to learn a basic, fundamental, spiritually sustaining truth—victory over enemies is ALWAYS and ALL THE TIME through the Lord alone

Moses needed a stone to sit upon and rest for support (v.12)

Remember what the “stone” is a symbol of—a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ; and as such, Christ is the believer’s

Support

Rest

Security

Foundation

Moses needed others who could help him in his intercession & appeal to God

Aaron and Hur—servants of God

Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ arms when he became weary

Aaron and Hur stayed with Moses all day, until sunset, doing what any servant of God should be doing

Praying and crying out to God

Struggling and interceding with God

Begging and appealing to God

(BIBLICAL APPLICATION—YOU and ME)

Notice the focus on prayer in these verses

What is prayer?

Prayer is an act of worship by which a believer communicates with God

Prayer, uniquely, is the only spiritual discipline the disciples specifically asked for teaching on

Luke 11:1 “Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.””

Prayer carries the necessity of a rightly aligned posture of the heart.

In Jesus’ model prayer, we can see a dynamic but necessary truth (Luke 11:2, “Our Father…”)

There must be a relationship—a person must be a born-again believer, surrendered to Jesus Christ, in order for prayer to be a part of a person’s life

1 Peter 3:12 “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.””

Psalm 66:18 “If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.”

Proverbs 15:8 “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.”

Proverbs 15:29 “The Lord is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.” “Forgive us our sins...”

Prayer

Brings joy to the believer

The joy of experiencing God’s provision

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Psalm 84:11–12 “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!”

The joy of a closer relationship with God

Psalm 16:11 “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

The joy of God’s love and grace

Psalm 8:4–5 “What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.”

Sustains believers

All believers face times in their journey (wilderness wanderings) when they will feel exhausted, when fatigue threatens to overwhelm them, times when

Deadlines come and the harder we try, the more we fall behind

Children demand so much time, discipline or correction

Schedules seem out of control and the calendar is always full

Finances run low and it seems like our needs may not get met

Our devotion to God is set aside for “a more convenient time.”

When spouses don’t understand or are unsympathetic, or gentle, thus creating more and more friction in the home

When a spouse’s continual sin leaves you thinking there’s no way out, or there’s no hope

When life is only endured and not enjoyed

When fellowship is the last thing on our minds

When things just seem hopeless/helpless

All believers need the reassurance that God knows we need His support, day-by-day, moment-by-moment

This is where Christ comes in, as the believer’s Rock of salvation and sanctification

This is where grace invades our situations and undergirds us as we walk through the wilderness of this world

This is where when we are at the end of ourselves and our resources, the sustaining grace of Jesus Christ undergirds our lives: His grace and provision

Never collapses

Never runs out

Never fails

Has no limits or boundaraies

Never grows weary, b/c He never grows weary

Promotes spiritual growth, by

Exposing sin

Psalm 139:23–24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.”

Providing wisdom

James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

Helping to overcome temptation

Matthew 6:13 “And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

Luke 22:40 “When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.””

Luke 22:46 “Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.””

Giving spiritual strength and unity

Oftentimes, one prayer warrior is not enough, and support is needed, and engaging other believers in intercessory prayer is needed. Why?

Because every believer needs to prevail in prayer, and

Because there are times when we, our loved ones, friends, church, and believers need special prayer, times of special intercession

(SEE THIS IN EPHESIANS 3:14-19)

Prayer is to be persistent

Where can we see this Biblically?

Luke 11:5–8, in the parable of the “Friend Who Comes at Midnight”

Luke 18:1-6, in the “Parable of the Persistent Widow”

Mark 10:47–49 in the account of blind Bartimaeus

“And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.””

It’s the persistent prayer of Bartimaeus that grabbed the attention of Jesus Christ

How many believers struggle with the characteristic of prayer and pray

“After the fact?”

“One and done,”

“Assumptively”

“Doubt and uncertainty”

Note what Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17:

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,”

This is the understanding that the believer’s life should be characterized by prayer

In all things, in all situations, our live should reflect a life that is in constant and persistent communion with our Heavenly Father

Prayer is to be demonstrative of our faith in Jesus Christ

The lame man at the well in Bethesda

John 5:6 “When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?””

The Centurians’ servant

Matthew 8:8 “The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.”

Prayer is to be one of the spiritual disciplines that new believers must grab ahold of early and mature believers must continually turn to and grow in

Drawing back to our verses today and what Scripture teaches, we must see these truths:

Persistent prayer is prevailing prayer.

Persistent prayer is to be carried out throughout the attack/battle

III. (v.13-16) The Results of Prevailing Prayer

Exodus 17:13–16“So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.” And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-Lord-Is-My-Banner; for he said, “Because the Lord has sworn: the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.””

(CONTEXT)

The enemy was defeated; God had given Israel victory over the Amalekites—they were crushed

The Amalekites are a picture of fierce & violent enemies—enemies whom the believer has to face during his/her walk in the wilderness of this world:

Oppressiveness

Drugs/alcohol

Gluttony

Immorality

Pornography and lust

Greed & pride

Loneliness & boredom

Loss of job or lack of purpose

Fear and hopelessness

And just as dangerous as the Amalekites were, so too are these enemies (and this list is not exhaustive), they can if not dealt with,

Ruin a believer’s witness & testimony

Create friction and unhappiness in a marriage and/or family

Bring about dire and direct consequences

Bring a hindrance to the fellowship we have with Christ and other believers

The victory was written down and remembered (v.14)

Judgment was pronounced on the enemy: they were to be completely blotted out (v.14)

God’s name was established forever (v.15-16)

Here we learn another name for God, “Jehovah Nissi”, which means, “The Lord is my Banner”

The rod of God Moses lifted up, was lifted up as the banner of Israel, the emblem & symbol of Israel

The rod of God was the symbol of God’s power, which when lifted up was the identifying symbol or “banner” that God’s power was present with Israel—that He gave the victory—His presence, salvation, and deliverance (Yahwey) triumphed—therefore Moses declared the Banner of Israel, the Banner of God’s people, was the Lord Himself

(BIBLICAL APPLICATION—YOU and ME)

Again, there are many enemies throughout this life, enemies that will come against believers, threaten believers, and challenge the believer’s trust and dependency on God

Again, these enemies can and have led people (believer or not) to feel helpless & hopeless, to feel alone, and to believe there’s no way out

Again, the enemy’s goal is not just to lead a person there…but to keep them there:

Keep them returning to empty pleasures

Keep them deceived into thinking there’s no help or relief

Keep them deceived, believing God cannot/will not save or rescue them

The enemy’s goal is to deceive a person to live in such a way they believe deliverance is not and never possible

Yet, in God bringing the Israelites victory, we see that hope exists for man, hope exists for the lost and wayward sinner, for the backslidden and hindered Christian—a glorious hope!!

All enemies—no matter how strong or terrible-are defeated by and through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ

All enemies—no matter how relentless and consuming—are overcome by and through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ

All enemies—no matter how deceitful and disturbing—are dragged into the light and conquered by and through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ

How? In calling on the Lord for help, in persistent & prevailing prayer & in desperate and devoted prayer

God will hear and deliver us from the enemy and his attacks—ALL of them—no matter what they are/how ferocious they are.

This prayer is from a heart that has utterly and completely surrendered the fight to Jesus Christ, that has said it’s had enough of the self-reliance, enough of the striving and gritting one’s teeth, a heart that’s had enough of sin and it’s corruption and desires nothing more than Christ and Christ alone to be the Lord if their life:

This can be the “sinner’s prayer”, or

This can be the prayer of the wayward believer

It requires faith/trust/belief in the immense/perfect/infallible love of God

Ephesians 3:14–19 “For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

(CLOSING)

The two greatest weapons we have against the enemy and his attacks are (1) God’s Word and (2) Prayer

Scripture provides us with a wonderful example of the intrinsic value of each of these:

Within God’s Word we learn of the Armor of God, which is what Paul teaches the church in Ephesus is what’s needed in the battle, “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:14-17 teaches us the specific aspects of God’s Armor

Belt of Truth-Victory in spiritual warfare beings with truth—b/c it’s what holds everything in place

Ephesians 6:14 “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth...”

Breastplate of Righteousness—As a breastplate protects the heart of the soldier, the righteousness of Christ is what protects the spiritual life of the believer

Ephesians 6:14b, “...having put on the breastplate of righteousness,”

Shoes-These heavy and armored sandals gave peace and security in the heat of battle; the peace with God, which is afforded to the Christian through Jesus Christ, is the peace and security in the face of the enemy’s accusations

Ephesians 6:15 “and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”

Shield of Faith-A soldier would douse his shield (leather-covered) in water to quench fiery arrows; faith in God’s promises is what extinguishes the fiery arrows of spiritual warfare

Note that faith is an active faith---not a “shield we are to drag behind us”

Ephesians 6:16 “...above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.”

Helmet of Salvation—the greatest battle a Christian faces is the battle of the mind, and as the helmet protects the soldier’s brain, God’s assurance of salvation and sanctification is what Christians must use to defeat the lies, deceits, and manipulations of Satan

Ephesians 6:17 “And take the helmet of salvation...”

Sword of the Spirit—This is the only “offensive” weapon for the solider—his sword

Note Paul’s use of the word, “word” here: “rhema”

“Rhema” refers to a particular “saying of God,” which has special application for a given situation.

“The Bible as a whole is an armory from which to select swords for specific battles. In Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus uses this “rhema of God,” in His victory over Satan’s temptations in the wilderness.” (David Jeremiah)

Ephesians 6:17b, “...and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;”

The armor of God

Must be “put on”

Romans 13:14 “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”

Must be put on “fully”

Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Ephesians 6:13 “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

The armor of God is secured/fashioned and held together by God’s truth. If the inerrancy of God’s Word (perfection, errorless, and incorruptible solidity of God’s Word) didn’t exist, the remaining armor serves no purpose…because each aspect of the Armor God is held/fastened/secured/supported by His Truth.

Secondly, if a person does not believe in the truth of God’s Word or merely believes portions of God’s Word as truth, his/her armor is at risk of falling apart.

God’s armor is to be put on daily—to be put on securely—to be put on faithfully and in faith—to be put on before the battle(s) of the day begin (which infers the spiritual sweat of spending time with God before one’s day begins_

Each aspect of God’s armor must be developed in a believer’s life—continually and sincerely.

Holes/chinks in the armor give the “fiery arrows” of the enemy more space to sting the believer, penetrate the believer, and/or affect the believer.

Prayer—is the means by which we “put on” the armor of God, (Ephesians 6:18 “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—” )

Prayer is to be done

Always

With “supplication”—which simply means asking God for whatever one needs

In the Spirit

Being watchful and perseverant

Watchful to pray “always,” “with supplication,” and “in the Spirit.”

Persevering—never ceasing to pray for God’s armor

Prayer, for God’s armor, is also to be done, for other believers

“...being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”

My time in law enforcement required “armor”

We wore Kevlar vests

We wore boots that supported the requirements of the job

We wore helmets that protected our heads during specific times

We had firearms which were our offensive weapons

We had shields that protected our vital areas during specific times

We had a “belt” that supported our equipment

If one of these were missing, not taken care of, or we were not disciplined in how to use each of these, then we would be unprepared, unprotected, and vulnerable

This relates to the armor of God well, in that, if each of the aspects of the armor of God, if we missing a part of the armor, if we are not taking care of the armor, or we are not disciplining ourselves in each aspect of the armor, we can also expect as Christians to be unprepared, unprotected, and vulnerable

The focus of today’s message is prayer; so my encouragement for each of us today and moving forward would be this:

That we would be believers to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ,” “put on the whole armor of God,” through prayer each and every day

That our prayers would include what David asks of the Lord in Psalm 139:23–24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.”

What part of God’s armor is lacking, missing, or not fastened tightly?