I pray this past week you have experienced new victories in the spiritual realm, having found yourself enabled to walk more freely through the minefields of daily life without fearing the enemy's deceptive tactics because you have adequately secured your priestly robe with the "belt of Truth". How much more prepared we are to face the day when we first "clothe [our]selves with the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 13:14). This critical first piece of spiritual armor is a daily reminder that we, as followers of Jesus Christ, are bound in an intimate, dependent, and glorious relationship with our Lord.
The Lord illustrated how vital this relationship is by calling His servant Jeremiah to purchase a new linen belt and perform an action sermon for His people: "Go and buy a linen belt and put it around your waist, but do not let it touch water...hide it there in a crevice in the rocks...go now...get the belt I told you to hide there....I went...and dug up the belt...but now it was ruined and completely useless" (Jeremiah 13:1-7). Instead of following God's truth and receiving the promised blessings for a life of obedience, the Israelites forsook the goodness of God, severing their intimate relationship with the One True God, to chase after false gods (reference Deuteronomy 26:16-19). "These wicked people, who refuse to listen to my words, who follow the stubbornness of their hearts and go after other gods to serve and worship them, will be like this belt - completely useless! For as a belt is bound around a man's waist, so I bound the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah to me...to be my people for my renown and praise and honor. But they have not listened" (Jeremiah 13:10-11). May we not make the same mistakes and be lured away by the enticements of this temporal world, instead, may we daily make a conscience effort to gird ourselves with God's Truth, binding ourselves forever in an intimate relationship with our Savior and Lord, that we might experience His blessings rather than incur His wrath!
Wrapped securely in God's Truth, we can move forward with boldness onto the battlefield before us, remembering that the Lord is our King and will lead us victorious into the battle and fight for us: "The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still" (Exodus 14:14). "The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you..." (Deuteronomy 1:30). As we move forward into battle our next piece of armor, the "breastplate of righteousness", will provide the necessary protection to guard our heart, enabling us to walk uprightly as we face the onslaught of lies and deception that seek to poison us and distort the Truth we stand upon. "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8).
Article #2: The Breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS
"Stand firm then...with the breastplate of righteousness in place..." (Ephesians 6:14b). The battle around us is intensifying as the citizens of America are lifting their voices and questioning the decision-making skills of our current leadership. The words of Isaiah resonate with the times we are living in: "So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey" (Isaiah 59:14-15a). As followers of Jesus Christ, we are not to remain silent, rather we are called to take a stand and speak out against the evils and injustice of the day (reference Ezekiel 3:16-21). As His ambassadors of Truth, the Lord has fashioned for us a vital piece of spiritual armor that will enable us to make right decisions and bring about His justice in our land - the "breastplate of Righteousness. "When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan" (Proverbs 29:2).
The Lord's instructions to Moses for the preparation of the priestly garments included a breastpiece to be worn over the ephod. As the high priest met with the Lord he wore this "breastpiece for making decisions" with the names of the the twelve tribes of Israel over his heart (reference Exodus 28:29-30), seeking God's truth and direction for the benefit of the nation. "...its every decision is from the LORD" (Proverbs 16:33b). It is through justice that a king gives a country stability (reference Proverbs 29:4) and "through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted" (Proverbs 11:11). We are in desperate need of leaders who will seek the counsel of the Lord, who will rule with righteousness, and with spiritual conviction instead of personal preference. "...a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice" (Isaiah 32:1).
"The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice.
He saw that there was no one,
He was appalled that there was no one to intervene;
so His own arm worked salvation for Him,
and His own righteousness sustained Him.
He put on righteousness as His breastplate..."
(Isaiah 59:15b-17a)
We, who know God's Truth, are responsible for putting on the "breastplate of righteousness" as we go about seeking justice for those who are powerless, oppressed, and needy in this world, ultimately desiring to see His salvation brought to all mankind. "Maintain justice and do what is right, for My salvation is close at hand and My righteousness will soon be revealed" (Isaiah 56:1). We are His kingdom of priests and we are to daily clothe ourselves with His strength (reference Isaiah 52:1). When we put on the breastplate His righteousness will guard our hearts and allow us to walk confidently and live uprightly, doing what is pleasing and honoring to the Lord.
The "belt of Truth" frees us to move quickly in obedience to God's call, while the "breastplate of righteousness" enables us to administer justice - not from what we see or hear - but from His Truth alone! "He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth" (Isaiah 11:3-4) We must remember that the Lord does not look at the things man looks at (reference 1 Samuel 16:7); He knows our hearts, and "what is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight" (Luke 16:15). May we offer the parts of our body to the Lord "as instruments of righteousness" (Romans 6:13), being ever mindful that "we belong to the day", therefore "let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate..." (1 Thessalonians 5:8).
Heavenly Father, "Praise be to you, O LORD, God of our Father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name...Everything comes from you." We desire no other king but You, our Lord and Savior. You reign in righteousness. "In [your] justice and great righteousness, [you] do not oppress"; "Awake my God; decree justice" in this land. Forgive us for making judgments by mere human standards. "May your priests be clothed with righteousness..." that we may make right judgments. Forgive those who act unjustly, who take advantage of the weak and oppressed. As you raised up Cyrus in your righteousness to accomplish your goals, we ask that today you would raise up leaders who will love justice and righteousness and reflect your rule, O Lord. May we become a people who "hate evil, love good; [and who] maintain justice in the courts..." Help us to "seek righteousness; seek humility" that we might find shelter under your wings. Lord, "you alone know the hearts of men"; guard our hearts with your righteousness that you may look upon us and find willing hearts who are fully devoted to you. Give us courage to face those who oppose your truth, and with self-control help us to act faithfully towards your commands and promises that our quest for justice will ultimately lead to the salvation of all people. May the earth be full of your unfailing love and this nation filled with your righteousness, to the praise and glory and honor of your holy name. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
[Scripture references: 1 Kings 8:39; 1 Chronicles 29:10-13; 14b; Job 37:23; Psalm 4:1; 7:6; 72:1; 132:9; Isaiah 45:13; Amos 5:14-15; Zephaniah 2:3]
