Thanksgiving: Piece by Piece
Imagine going into a battle and facing an enemy who is coming at you with flaming arrows, swords, rocks and spears, but you are standing on that desert battlefield in your pajamas in your slippers, holding on to your favorite comfy blanket or stuffed animal.
How do you think you’d fare?
Probably not the best choice!
Could it be that this is how we approach most days as Christians, even though God has told us that we have a real spiritual Foe - who fights against us in the spiritual realm and affects us in the physical realm each day?
Could it be that this is how we approach most days as Christians, even though God has given us His Armor to protect us, and to enable us to push back the enemy in our Lord Jesus’ strength?
What if every morning we started our days strong, in the STRENGTH OF THE LORD, putting on the FULL ARMOR of God, and thanking Him for each and every piece?
Ephesians 6:5-9, the famous Armor of God passage is prefaced by the following exhortation. As I’ve been taking time to put on the whole armor of God, I’ve found it helpful to begin with the mindset provided here.
(vs 5b paraphrase: Those who serve, do all that you do) “in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.
And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.” (New American Standard Bible 1995)
Since I still struggle with the perfectionism temptation and with the temptation to strive to keep people that I interact with “happy” and “pleased with me”, reading this preface daily is keeping me grounded in truth that I need to definitely “gird my loins with”! I hope it is a good reminder to you, as well, to “do the will of God from the heart” and “with good will to render service, as to the Lord”, not to people!
Let’s value every piece of God’s Armor!
The Armor of God
Ephesians 6:10-20
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
Stand firm therefore,having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and HAVING SHOD your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, TAKING UP THE SHIELD OF FAITH BY WHICH YOU WILL BE ABLE TO EXTINGUISH ALL THE FLAMING MISSILES OF THE EVIL ONE. And TAKE the helmet of salvation, and THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, which is the word of God.
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:10-20 NASB1995)
Let’s decide to start our days strong in the STRENGTH OF THE LORD, putting on the FULL ARMOR of God, thanking Him for each and every piece!
After all, Jesus Himself is reflected in each and every piece of the Armor!
THE BELT - Jesus said, “I am the way, THE TRUTH, and the life.”
THE BREASTPLATE - “But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and RIGHTEOUSNESS and sanctification, and redemption.” 1 Corinthians 1:30
THE SHOES OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE - Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; MY PEACE I GIVE TO YOU; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” John 14:27
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” Isaiah 52:7
THE GOSPEL - “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”Romans 6:23
THE SHIELD OF FAITH - “But You, O LORD, are a SHIELD about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head.” Psalm 3:3, “The Word of the LORD is tried; He is a SHIELD to all who take refuge in Him.” Psalm 18:35
THE HELMET OF SALVATION - “For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the THE SALVATION WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS and with it eternal glory.” 2 Thessalonians 2:10
THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT & PRAYER - “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the WEAPONS of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
Maybe you’d like to pray this prayer with me:
Thank you so much, Lord Jesus, for covering us in the Armor of God. Thank you for wrapping our core with truth by indwelling us with Your very truth. Thank you for clothing us with Your righteousness and teaching us how to walk uprightly in a manner worthy of You. Thank you for giving us the sturdy sandals of the Gospel of Peace, so that we can stand our ground and bring your good news everywhere! Thank you for surrounding us with Your favor and that You Yourself are our shield. Thank you for the helmet of salvation to protect our minds and giving us the sword of the Spirit - Your very Word to fight against our foe. We are so grateful for You and never want to go into our day without You!
In Jesus Name,
Amen
One more thing, the Bible Lands Museum has a good video showcasing the armor of God and shares a great lesson through history. If you’re interested, please check it out here:
https://video.wvbs.org/video/bible-lands-museum-7-first-century-roman-armor/
Photo Credit Roman Soldier: Ferrell Jenkins 2011 (https://ferrelljenkins.blog/2011/08/09/roman-sword-menorah-engraving-discovered/)
(For some great photos of 1st Century Roman Armor, please visit:
https://www.romanobritain.org/8-military/mil_roman_soldiers_gear.php)
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Photo Credit Slippers Picture: Philippe Jausions (@jausions) | Unsplash Photo Community
