Ephesians 6:10-18 –
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of HIS might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. 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.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance…
Remember flannelgraphs? Those teaching aids that our Sunday School teachers would use to illustrate stories from the bible? Being a visual learner, they always helped me put some flesh on spiritual truths.
I remember a felt man being put up on the board. Just an average Joe. As the teacher read these verses from Ephesians, he went from being just a man to being a warrior ready for battle. Supportive belt around his waist, breastplate protecting his heart, heavy duty shoes, shield and sword in hand and a helmet. Every part of him covered, protected by the heavy metal that made up his armor.
It was easy to get caught up in the visual image and forget the real meaning behind the picture. The whole point is in the very beginning of the verses. “Be strong IN THE LORD and in THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT.” He has offered us the armor of His very being and essence. We are strong in and because of THAT and that alone. His truth, His righteousness, His peace, His salvation and His Word. This is what we are asked to “put on”.
Did you notice that all we are asked to do in that place of protection, in the strength of the Lord, surrounded and clothed in all that He is, is to stand. Just stand. Ready. Prepared. Safe.
And yet I too often find myself forgetting that I have that armor. It’s sitting right there next to me and I’m running around worried about how I’m going to protect myself without it. I forget to put it on. I forget that without it I’m that little felt man on the flannel board, vulnerable in his skivvies. Everything I need to face the battle is right there at my disposal. In front of my face. But I forget.
When the jabs and cuts of the fight become too much, it suddenly dawns on me. I have resources. I have armor. I have a God who is bigger than any battle or any fear in the battle. And finally, I suit up.
Sometimes, I’m just too weary to even know how to begin putting it on. Those are the times that I have to remember that I can ask God to put His fighting garb on me. Those are the times I have to remember that His strength is even better shown in my weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9 – But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.)
Armor on, I stand. And I love what the last verse says to do while I’m standing there. Look at verse 18. Pray always and then be watchful. Watchful for the enemy but also watchful for what God is going to do. I need to pray with expectation of both strength and protection but also for victory! I need to face every battle that I encounter with the prayerful attitude that “God’s got this and therefore, I’ve got this!” I’m in His armor, in His protection, surrounded by His love. Enemy beware.
When David went out against Goliath, he was offered the king’s armor. But he refused because it was awkward and clumsy for him. What fit him, what he felt comfortable in, was the armor of his God. He had every piece of spiritual armor in place and went out to face his foe in full confidence of God’s protection and victory over evil. And all it took was a small stone to defeat the giant. A stone propelled by a slingshot and the arm of God Himself. David was not alone in the battle. He claimed victory through God before he even aimed at Goliath. And he won miraculously.
We’ve all got battles to face every day. Sickness, addictions, attitudes, grudges, pasts, fears, etc., etc. But we can put on the armor God’s so graciously offered to us. Himself and all He is. His protection, His strength and His truth.
And suddenly, the little felt man just can’t lose…
Psalm 46:10 – Be still, and know that I am God…
