Suit up.
Today I am sharing a pretty simple and quick devotion. For some reason, in the last couple of months the passage in Ephesians, about the Armor of God, has kept coming up. Whether in a small group, whether in a sermon, whether in a verse on my Bible app. It has been a reoccurring theme. So today, I wanted to visit that passage with you all.
2020 has been a year for almost everyone. I haven’t heard of someone who has really loved 2020. However, we aren’t promised in the Bible that everything will always be rainbows and butterflies. This can be difficult to understand, and that is a whole other topic, but the reality is that we will face difficult things in this world. It isn’t always easy. But even if we aren’t promised that every road is going to be easy, we are promised that God is always going to be with us. As it says in 2 Corinthians:
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
So with that in mind, it can be difficult sometimes even to wake up and face the day. The weight of culture, society, and the things we take in can feel overwhelming at points. It can be so hard to muster the courage to live with excitement and joy. However, I just wanted today to remind you that you don’t face these things alone. You have God, angel armies, and a mighty armor to go with you. So today I just want to visit the passage in Ephesians:
The Armor of God
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The Helmet of Salvation: guarding our minds, and providing assurance that we are Christ’s beloved.
Belt of Truth: In an increasing society where truth is relative, don’t let the lies distract you. Wrap yourself in God’s truth and who He says you are.
Breastplate of Righteousness: Walk in a holy manner. This righteousness and authenticity keeps you stable. Holy living isn’t just to make us “right with God”, but it truly helps us live healthy and whole lives.
Shield of Faith: The arrows and darts of the enemy will come. Words, thoughts, and actions of others may strike at your soul. Your confidence, self-worth, and even belief in God can be under siege. Stand firm and block those arrows with a firm faith.
Shoes of Peace: Walk in peace, knowing that God is in control. You aren’t going to go anywhere if you can’t firmly stand in the rest that comes in knowing our God.
Sword of the Spirit: We block attacks with the shield, and in needed moments we can attack and defend with God’s word. It is sharp, and it is powerful. It can change the trajectory of life and it can provide hope.
So with that passage in mind, I hope you can encounter whatever you are dealing with in 2020 more confidently, knowing that you are equipped in Christ. He doesn’t leave us empty handed. He is standing with us, and he has provided us with an amazing suit of armor to tackle life with. Let’s suit up.
