Blog Layout
Put on the Armor of God
Andrea Lende • January 7, 2021
Ephesians 6:12-13
Put on the Armor of God
You can also listen to the devotion and prayer at: https://anchor.fm/andrea-lende/episodes/Put-on-the-Armor-of-God-eoltrr
Ephesians 6:12-13
“For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere,”
“Therefore, put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].”
This passage could not come at a better time than right now.
Right now, during so much unrest and chaos.
I am thankful for the reminder that we do not wrestle with the things of this world even though it feels like we do.
It feels like we need to combat the combative.
It feels like we need to correct the incorrect.
However, our passage says different.
It says we are really up against the enemy in the spiritual realm.
Paul calls the enemy “the rulers of this present darkness”.
These rulers aren’t really people, although they work through them.
How do we overcome evil in the heavenly realm?
By putting on the complete armor of God.
Paul says we need to put on God’s armor so we can “quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]”.
We are targets of the enemy.
He wants to devour us just like any opposing enemy would want to do.
So, we must ready ourselves.
According to Paul, we need to:
“Tighten the belt of truth”.
“Put on the breastplate of integrity”.
“Put on the Gospel of peace”.
“Lift up the shield of saving faith”.
“Put on the helmet of salvation”.
“Wield the sword - the Word of God”.
“Pray at all times”.
Lastly, “stand firmly in place”.
When we have done all these things, we are ready and able to withstand the enemies’ advances and put out the fiery missiles shot at us.
Jesus came to grant us peaceful living.
We are able to live in peace even amongst the chaos.
We find peace in our preparedness.
We find peace in Jesus’ sacrifice.
We find peace in God’s presence.
Today I choose to prepare my heart and soul to withstand the fiery missiles of the evil one and claim the peaceful living Jesus died to give me.
May you find as you prepare your heart and mind to withstand the enemies’ darts, that you are ready and able to withstand and persevere in peace.
Daily Prayer:
O Lord, my God, thank You for reminding me that I am to prepare my heart and mind by putting on the armor You have given me. Thank You for this armor which protects me from the enemy. In truth, integrity, peace, faith, salvation, and Your Word I am able to stand my ground. Thank You, Father, for giving me everything I need to withstand the enemies’ advances against me. Help me stand strong and provide a barrier for me and my family’s hearts and minds. Strengthen each one of us so we are able to ready ourselves, Father. Thank You for the peace You bring to my spirit. Thank You, Lord, for always providing Your presence to sit in so I can be bathed in Your peace, comfort, and wisdom. May Your Spirit flood the hearts of Your people. May Your presence be felt by everyone. May Your peace be upon this great nation and Your will be done above all else. May we all bow down in reverence to You, Father and know Your plan is good and holy. All glory be to You, Lord. Help me bless someone this day. Thank You for hearing my prayer.
Answer: I AM the Great I AM, and I AM at work in the world and in the hearts of My people.
Response: May we all follow You, the Great I AM, as we worship You.
We start a New Year! How exciting! Paul had just finished telling the Ephesians to put off their old nature. They had been run around by their feelings and desires. He told them to be renewed in their spirit. The Amplified Bible defines this to be “having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude.” As we say goodbye to this year, let us put on the new and leave the old behind. We have an opportunity to reflect on what to bring forward into this New Year.
This is a great message for the New Year. We can be in control of our own words. As a mother, I used to tell my children to use their words to explain what was happening in their minds. I tried to help them find the right words. Words that would help the situation and not make it worse. I must do the same thing when talking to them. It’s important to use words that do not damage their spirits. Words that lift up instead of tear down. Even though my children have grown, I still want to be careful how I speak to them because my worlds will impact them for the rest of their lives.
As we approach the New Year, it is a perfect time to take inventory of what part of our lives, our hearts, and our souls are not bearing fruit. What can we give up as this year comes to a close? What do we need to give to the Lord for His cleansing and pruning? The answers to these questions take time. Time with the Lord. We are creatures of routines and habits which serve us well. But we can also change our routines and habits to serve us and the Lord better. So, we can ask God to show us what He wants us to give up so that He can have more of us.
I cannot think of a better verse to meditate on as we approach the New Year. Jesus said, "the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you]." For so many years I believed I had to wait to go to heaven to experience the kingdom of God. I have longed to step into heaven and meet the Lord and His Son. However, as we read the Gospels and study Jesus and all that He said, we begin to understand the kingdom of God is all around us. The kingdom of God is within.
Paul wrote to the Colossians and told them he was praying for them. He prayed they would be refreshed, renewed, and invigorated. He also prayed they would be strengthened. May his prayer be heard by the Lord God Almighty on our behalf today just as it was received two thousand years ago. God is the Source of all things beautiful and wonderful. There is no shortage of renewal, refreshment, or inspiration in His kingdom. And as the Creator of this universe, He continues to pour all good things into His people. Paul wrote that refreshment and strength are needed so we may have endurance.
This verse is the perfect verse to reflect on as Christmas comes to a close. The Lord sent His Son to us. He sent Him to this world as a babe. Jesus was given the task of growing up. A difficult one for all of us. He endured the awkward stages we all go through as we grow past them. I look back at old picture and cringe, yes, I cringe. This life provides plenty of opportunities to feel awkward and just plain weird, but our Father loves us as though we are perfect every day of our lives. This is why Jesus came. He came to make us perfect in God’s sight.
God made Himself flesh so He could take away the sins of the world. The story of the very first Christmas was humble, yet the most powerful and loving birth ever recorded in history. All humanity changed in an instant. When Jesus was born, love filled the earth. Love came down and lifted us up. The angels came to tell the shepherds of this beautiful birth. The stars in the heavens also told the story. As we do all tasks that we do to ensure a beautiful Christmas day, may we remember the miracle that God sent long ago. The miracle of all miracles.
The first Christmas was going to be documented, so that it could be read many times over for all Christmas’ to come. It was also documented so the prophecy of the Messiah’s birth would be known to be fulfilled. Prophets of old foretold Jesus would come from the house of David. They also prophesied that He would be born in Bethlehem. And all this came to pass. Even though Jesus would be known as a Nazarene, His beginning began in Bethlehem. God’s divine plan was set in motion with the first census while Mary was at the end of her pregnancy.
What a wonderful passage to read during Christmas week. Our passage touched my heart as I read it through the lens of Jesus’ birth. “It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself.” We have so much to be thankful for in these few short words, “restoring the world to favor with Himself.” So undeserved and yet so graciously given. We are offered favor with the Lord. Imagine having favor with the almighty God, the Creator of the universe. Jesus chose to leave heaven’s door where all was perfect. He chose to be born into this dusty messy world.
Jesus had just spoken to a fig tree and deemed it unworthy to live because it had no fruit on it. His disciples were amazed when they saw the fig tree wither and die. Then the Lord talked to them about prayer and belief. He told them that whatever they asked for, if they had the faith and belief, they would receive it. I remember the day I started hearing music and lyrics. I had just bowed my head at the piano and asked if the Lord would bless praise and worship music. As soon as I prayed that prayer, the Lord bestowed the gift of song writing upon me.