Putting on the Armor of God
August 25, 2009
Dear Prayer Warrior,
We have spent the past few weeks discussing the importance, and absolute necessity, of putting on our spiritual clothing each day so that we will be more adequately prepared, and dressed, to walk out into a world that is at war with anyone that speaks, or anything that represents, the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have discovered, that just as it is necessary to cover ourselves in physical clothing (in some instances to add protection to our body for the activity we are doing, or simply to make a statement for how we want to be perceived by the world around us), it is also necessary for the believer to dress oneself in God's spiritual wardrobe before facing the day. Over the course of the past three weeks, we have taken the time to "put on" the Belt of Truth, the Breast of Righteousness, and the Shoes of Preparation for the Gospel of Peace. Having been fully clothed in God's Truth, Righteousness, and Peace we are more adequately prepared to overcome the circumstances and challenges that are waiting for us with each new day.
Now that we are "clothed in Christ", the Lord requires that we "take" with us some final outer-wear to protect us as we enter the battlefield. Just as we might grab a coat, umbrella, or hat for protection, and a briefcase, backpack, or purse filled with all the articles we need to accomplish the task that is set before us for the day, there are specific spiritual tools we need to guide us to a life of success. We must remember that as ambassadors of Christ (reference 2 Corinthians 5:20), our one purpose on this earth is to be the visible representation of Christ to the fallen, broken, dark, and lost world that He has prepared us to minister to and to bring His message of salvation to, therefore we cannot afford to walk out the door without our final pieces of protection that will ultimately guarantee victory.
"This is the victory that has overcome the world,
even our faith.
Who is it that overcomes the world?
Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."
(1 John 5:4b-5)
Today, we "take up the shield of faith'' (Ephesians 6:16) This vital piece of armor represents the very root of our Christian life - the very object of our belief - Jesus Christ. "Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him, and so your faith and hope are in God" (1 Peter 1:21). Our faith begins with Christ: "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith..." (Hebrews 12:2). Only through Christ are we capable of trusting Him for salvation, and only in Him will our faith be brought to completion (reference 1 Peter 1:3-5). Therefore, it is necessary to take up this important piece of spiritual armor, for in doing so we not only carry with us our faith in Christ, but we are also carried by Christ victoriously to the finish line He has prepared for us.
"To Him Who is able to keep you from falling
and to present you before His glorious presence without fault
and with great joy - to the only God our Savior
be glory, majesty, power and authority,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages,
now and forevermore! Amen."
(Jude 24-25)
Article #4: The Shield of FAITH
"In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." (Ephesians 6:16). The shields of the ancient Roman world were massive and door-like; covered in leather so they could be soaked in water to extinquish the flaming arrows of the attacking enemy. This front-line defense provided a wall-like barrier to the troops as they faced their enemy head-on with shields locked side-by-side, and with soldier shoulder-to-shoulder. Although effective, these man-made shields were limited in their power and protection, unlike the shield of faith whose power and protection is limitless. As God's spiritual instrument, the shield of faith not only effectively wards off the attacks of the enemy, it also enables His soldiers to advance in the battle, ultimately achieving the victory He has purposed for His faithful ones.
"But you are a shield around me, O LORD;
You bestow glory on me and lift up my head."
(Psalm 3:3)
The battle we face every day is not a battle of flesh and blood, it is a spiritual battle against the opposing spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms, therefore mere human weapons will not work against these dark powers (reference Ephesians 6:12). Our greatest weapon is our faith - it is our first line of defense in this battle. "...who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1:5). Our faith in God quenches the fiery arrows that the enemy attempts to sling at us, having first been soaked in God's truth, being washed with water through the word (reference Ephesians 5:26). "He holds victory in store for the upright, He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones" (Proverbs 2:7-8).
The shield of faith provides a hedge around us. We are fully encircled and shielded on all sides as we take refuge in our God who watches over us from above and surrounds us with His wings of protection (reference Psalm 91:4). "For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield" (Psalm 5:12). Through Christ we have been saved by faith (reference Ephesians 2:8); and it is through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit that this "good deposit" we have been entrusted with is guarded and protected; the Lord has much at stake as He takes the necessary measures to lead us toward the finish line to ultimately experience the fullness of Christ and the completion of our faith (reference 2 Timothy 1:13; Ephesians 3:19; 4:13). "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7). As our shield, the Lord assures our advancement as we continue to have faith in Him and believe Him for the promises He has given to us through His word. "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" (John 11:40). Our God is faithful and and He has promised to keep us strong to the end - He will provide the protection necessary to guide us to the goal (reference 1 Thessalonians 5:24; 2 Timothy 2:13). "He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful" (1 Corinthians 1:8-9).
As long as we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus there can be nothing, or no one, which can prevent us from achieving the goal that is set before us (reference Hebrews 12:1-3). The Lord calls us to a life of faith. "But My righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him" (Hebrews 10:38). Those who are forever remembered in the hall of fame of the faithful, as recorded in Hebrews 11, were commended for living such a life of total devotion and obedience (reference Hebrew 11:1-39). They were men and women of action. "...his faith was made complete by what he did" (James 2:22). Faith in Christ is what saves us, but geniune faith will result in action. "...faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead" (James 2:18). Clothed in His spiritual armor and shielded by faith, we can move forward confidently and courageously, moving mountains for the kingdom of God (reference Matthew 21:21; Luke 17:6). "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in Me will do what I have been doing. He will do even great things than these, because I am going to the Father" (John 14:12).
It's been said that, "perfect faith says, it is as good as done." By putting our faith in Christ Jesus we are overcomers. "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Jesus has already achieved the victory for us, so we can move forward without fear, guarded and guided by perfect faith in Christ that He will accomplish all that He has purposed. When He returns, however, "...will He find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8). The Scriptures clearly state that a time will come, and is here even now, when many will "turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other..." (Matthew 24:10; see also 1 Timothy 4:1)) We have been given this shield so that we can go into battle, answering the call we have been given: to set an example in faith (reference 1 Timothy 6:12), to "contend for the faith" (Jude 3), and to "stand firm in the faith" (1 Peter 5:9), remembering that, "the testing of your faith develops perseverance..." (James 1:3). Therefore, "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful" (Hebrews 10:23).
"...and without faith it is impossible to please God,
because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists
and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."
(Hebrews 11:6)
Heavenly Father, I praise you, for "My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart." "...He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and I am helped..." You, Lord, are faithful in all you do. How blessed we are that you are faithful to all your promises, having sent your Son to die on the cross for our sins so our faith is not futile, but will ultimately be made complete. We praise you that when "we are faithless, [You] will remain faithful." Help us to stand firm in the faith, or we will not stand at all. Only in you can we move forward victoriously, for your shield of protection surrounds us. "He holds victory in store for the upright, He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful one." "He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge..." Father we desire to be a nation that seeks your face, may we become a nation once again "that keeps faith" so that when you return you will indeed find faith on this earth. Help us to not be afraid, but to take heart, and to pray in faith believing that we will receive whatever we ask for in prayer. Lord we ask for your protection from the evil one, as you have also prayed for us, that we might move forward without any hindrance, to accomplish your kingdom purposes and bring your message of salvation to the world. Protect us by the power of your holy name; for your name is a strong tower; in you we find safety and security. Lord, "we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." Guide us to add to our faith goodness, that we would become people of action. Lead us with patient endurance to obey your commands and remain faithful to you in all we do. May others be greatly encouraged by how firm our faith is. May what we do bring pleasure to you and glory to your name. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
[Scripture references: Psalm 7:10; 18:2; 28:7; 33:4; 144:2; Proverbs 2:7; 18:10; Isaiah 7:9; 26:2; Matthew 8:26; 9:22; 21:21; Luke 18:8; John 17:11, 15; 1 Corinthians 15:14, 17; 2; 2 Corinthians 4:18; Colossians 2:5; Timothy 2:13; 2 Peter 1:5; Revelation 14:12].
