"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.
It’s hard to hit a moving target. It’s still harder to protect one. My first babysitting job was for neighbors who had the cutest set of little girls imaginable. Kim, the oldest was three and the youngest, Dana still in diapers. In my mind, being asked to watch these babies was nothing short of heaven.
My first challenge came with diaper duty. I’d diapered my niece numerous times and knew the process well, but this time my participant was very unwilling. Trying to diaper Dana was like trying to put a dress on a greased pig! She simply wasn’t having it! Just as Dana made getting her diaper secured a struggle, God cannot armor you if you won’t stand still enough to let Him equip you. In the midst of a recent very fearful moment, my thoughts flitted from place to place brainstorming for solutions. When I finally quieted my mind and listened for God’s leading, the first word I heard was “Stand!” But Lord, I need to do something fast. "Stand" But God??? "STAND!"
It finally became clear to me (with some obvious spiritual urging) that if I am chasing down a bunny trail of “what if’s” or running from my fears (and into the bunker of isolation) the Lord can’t put His shield in front of me, His wing over me and I am not clinging to the Rock. I become like one of those ducks in a carnival shooting in which Satan can take repeated potshots at me while I'm in a manic state of "Let's get this fixed and fast!' Also, if I am running from, I’m not focusing on His face. Standing allows my Father to get my attention, prepare me for battle (because you can’t put someone’s armor on while they are moving!) and give me marching orders. Is the battle raging around you? First, take time to STAND:
Stop - "....stop and consider God’s wonders." Job 37:14
Take a breath - “Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” Genesis 2:7
Assess the problem – “The wicked are waiting to destroy me, but I will ponder your statutes.” Psalm 119:95
Notify God - "Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray." Psalm 5:2
Draw on His strength – “It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.” 2 Samuel 22:33
Now, as you put on your armor, keep in mind that:
• You need to be in the right place to put on your armor: “Then the LORD said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. (Exodus 33:21).
• Your armor is specific to you—what works for me may not necessarily work for you: “Then Saul clothed David with his garments and put a bronze helmet on his head, and he clothed him with armor. David girded his sword over his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. So David said to Saul, ‘I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.’ And David took them]off.” (I Samuel 17:38-40).
• You must be prepared to put on your armor: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us….” (Hebrews 12:1)
• You need the proper foundational garments under your armor: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12
• Armor is not something you can put on alone: “David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers.” 1 Samuel 16:21
• Putting on armor takes time—between 15 and 30 minutes: “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.” Ephesians 6:13
• Armor was expensive; sometimes costing as much as a quarter of your annual income. The cost of our armor was the sacrifice of our Savior: “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:2
Beloved, Romans 13:12 calls us to “put on the armor of light”—armor that will shield, dispel the darkness, comfort and identify us as children of God. Your armor is essential—don’t leave home without it!
Careful Considerations: Armor is an essential aspect of a Christian’s life. Getting armored-up takes preparation, time and focus. Discuss how you set aside time each morning to armor up and prepare yourself and your family to face each day.
Heavenly Father, We know that in the end the God of peace will soon crush Satan under His feet (Romans 16:20). Until that time, we must be on the alert, standing firm in the faith and be strong. (I Cor. 16:13) since we are wrestling against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Eph 6:12). Let us stand firm in the true grace of God (I Peter 5:12). May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace as we trust in Him, so that we may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13). Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power (Eph 6:10) In Jesus name, Amen.
Love, Hugs and Prayers,
Gwen
