Putting on the Armor of God
August 4, 2009
Dear Prayer Warrior,
Your commitment to pray has put you on the front-line of an intense spiritual battle in which our evil adversary has been busy waging as he continues to feast like a moth on the moral fabric of our nation and continues to pulverize like a jack-hammer through the spiritual foundation we were built upon. The great enemy of God, Satan, in his cunning and craftiness, has set his deceptive traps, luring many a faithful pilgrim to fall prey to his lies, causing them to grow weary and fall into the rear ranks of this waging war.
Dearly beloved of the Most High God, this is not the time for retreat. The time for standing firm is needed now more than ever. Praise God for the faithful remnant in our history, whose perseverance in prayer have helped to weave the rich fabric of our strong spiritual heritage; and who did not allow the fear of man to prevail over their fear of God. Do we realize what is at stake today? Do we know what we are fighting for?
It is time to rally the troops, to encourage those who are growing weary, and to come alongside those who have felt like they have been standing alone. One of the enemy's greatest tactics has been to cause division in the ranks, isolating many, and causing discouragement for some, while tying others up fighting distracting battles that have kept them from seeking the counsel of the Lord. We are caught in the middle of a battle that wasn't meant to be ours and attempting to fight it in our own strength. Instead of being obedient to our Commander-In-Chief, Jesus Christ, resting at His feet and remaining in prayer, we are wearing ourselves out in flesh and blood battles that are only stripping us of precious time that is better spent with the only True Source of our Strength, and our only real hope for victory!
Throughout the Scriptures we find the Lord's blueprint for battle has always been far beyond the limited strategies and battleplans of man. "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways" (Isaiah 55:8). In the case of Joshua, He called His mighty warrior to go forward clothed in His mighty power, standing firm on His promise for victory, and with troops who were armed only with trumpets. For seven days they were to march in obedience to God's word, believing they would achieve victory because God was on their side (reference Joshua 6). The Lord requires nothing less of us as we seek to preserve our god-given promised land and lay hold of our eternal Promise Land (reference Proverbs 3:5-6)!
For the next seven weeks we have an opportunity to step out in faith and prepare ourselves to go to battle to accomplish great feats and achieve amazing victories in the spiritual realm that only come when we put our trust in God and act in obedience to His will. Preparation is an important element in the success of the Lord's battleplan. Each week we will address the various pieces of armor He has purposed us to put on each day as we face the battles in front of us. Today, we begin with a critical article of clothing that if neglected in our mad dash to get out the door each day will trip us up; however, if properly secured, it will allow us to run the race before us freely and triumphantly!
Article #1: The Belt of TRUTH
"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist..." (Ephesians 6:14a). The King James Version uses the word "girded". This word means "to encircle"; "to surround"; "to prepare (oneself) for action" (Websters Dictionary). Reading through the Scriptures we find that the belt was a very important piece of military equipment. In ancient days, when a man prepared to take action he tucked his garments into his belt so he could move about and run freely (reference Isaiah 5:27; 22:21). In the Lord's instructions for the Passover, the men were told to eat "with your cloak tucked into your belt" (Exodus 12:11). They were to be ready to leave as soon as the Lord gave the signal. After the Lord defeated the false prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, He came upon Elijah with power, giving him extraordinary strength to run ahead of King Ahab; Elijah tucked his cloak into his belt so he could run freely (reference 1 Kings 18:46). When Elisha sent Gehazi to the Shunammite's son he instructed him first to, "Tuck your cloak into your belt...and run" (2 Kings 4:29). And again when Elisha instructed another man to annoint Jehu as king of Israel, he said, "tuck your cloak into your belt..." (9:1). The first step before taking and course of action was always to gird themselves with their belt.
Our first piece of armor is the belt; wrapped around our center it becomes a constant reminder that Jesus is to be the center of our lives and we must be clothed in Him before taking our first step each day. This important article of clothing is called: "the belt of Truth". Jesus declared, "I am the way and the TRUTH and the life" (John 14:6). Jesus is the TRUTH! We must begin each day girded in His truth: "Jesus said, 'If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the TRUTH, and the TRUTH will set you free" (John 8:31-32). This important piece of armor holds us together and allows our hands to be free to serve instead of distracted with the entanglements of the days struggles. Girded in the belt of Truth we are free to walk, move, and run in the direction the Lord desires us to go. "Sanctify them by the truth; Your Word is truth" (John 17:17). The belt of truth is a practical and protective piece of armor that holds our weapon: the Sword of the Spirit!
The Lord desires that we be ready for action, but we must first be adequately prepared and dressed. He wants us to know, without a doubt, that He is faithful and true and completely trustworthy. He is the God of Truth (reference Psalm 31:5). He is a God that keeps His promises. He daily desires to reveal His truth to us if we will simply take the time each day to prepare ourselves in His Word each day. "I have not spoken in secret...I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right" (Isaiah 45:19). His truth has been fully revealed to us in the person of Jesus Christ and we are called each day to clothe ourselves in Christ and stand firm in His truth each day. "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "yes" in Christ. And so through Him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God" (2 Corinthians 1:20).
The battle before us will be won by character, not by force! May we daily clothe ourselves in the character of Christ and run the race He has set before us with perseverance and conviction of His spiritual Truths!
Heavenly Father, we praise you, the God of Truth, that we can rest securely in your word and know, without a shadow of a doubt, that you are perfectly trustworthy and faithful to every promise you have written. We come to you asking that you would "Teach me your way, O Lord, that I might walk in your truth." We live in a troubling time when their are few who give attention to your truth; instead, their are many who do what seems right in their own minds. "Truth has perished, it has vanished from their ways." Lord, you are truth - you always speak truth - you are not a man that you should lie. Forgive us when we allow our ears to be tickled by the empty promises of man instead of the absolute truth of your holy word. Help us to begin each day wrapped in your word and girded securely in your truth so we can stand confidently and move forward courageously declaring your truth to a world in desperate need of your salvation. Your truth was not meant to be concealed, instead it is to be made known. Forgive us for allowing your truth to be trampled upon. Help us to declare it boldly as we should; our desire is to be bound to you; bound to your Word; bound to your truth so that we may be walking testimony's of your truth to the world. May we "give attention to your truth" so that you will look and find many "who deal honestly and seek truth, [so you] will forgive this city" and bring salvation and healing to this land. "...Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD; may your love and your truth always protect me." For you are "the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation". We ask all of this in your mighty and awesome name. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
[Scripture references: Numbers 23:19; Psalm 31:5; 40:11; 86:11; Jeremiah 7:28; Daniel 9:13; Luke 8:17; Ephesians 6:19-20; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; Revelation 3:14]
