Just last week, I was at the bank taking care of some ministry business when God began to speak to me about something I was seeing. I was sitting in a chair, waiting on the lady I needed to see become available when a police officer walked in.
I watched as he conducted his banking business and then started walking toward the door. I thought, “Good grief, I would hate to have to walk around in all that each day.” You see, he had on a bullet proof vest. He had a belt around his waist that carried his gun, handcuffs, a flashlight and several other items. He also had on heavy boots. You could barely see his build for his stuff he was carrying around. I continued watching as he got in his vehicle and pulled out. On the bumper of his vehicle it said, “In God We Trust.”
As I pondered on how bulky it must be to carry all that stuff around, I realized each item he wore had a purpose. The bullet proof vest kept him safe against anyone that would shoot at him. His gun was his weapon. The handcuffs were necessary, as was every single item he carried around daily.
Nothing was without purpose. Every single thing was to keep him safe and empower him to do his job well.
My mind went to another form of armor. It’s found in the book of Ephesians.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 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.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— (Eph 6:10-18)
Just like with the police officer and his armor, each piece of God’s armor has a certain task and purpose.
We must gird ourselves with the truth and stand daily in that truth. The breastplate which is standing in your righteousness through Christ. The Gospel which is what we must walk in. The shield of faith which quenches every fiery dart the enemy brings our way. The helmet of salvation guards our mind as we continually meditate on all our salvation includes. The sword of the spirit is what we use against every lie of the enemy and not only that, but it is what we wield to declare the promises of God. We must intentionally and daily wear every single piece of God’s armor if we are to walk in victory.
I had friends years ago that confessed these scriptures daily and by faith, applied the full armor of God. That would be a wise thing to do until it becomes a habit for us.
Beyond the armor, the Bible tells us to pray! A powerful prayer life will cultivate a life of victory and peace. If you don’t have a daily prayer life, you are really missing out on the best God has for you.
God tells us to put on the armor of God because of the fight we are in. This armor will, as God says, help us stand against the enemy, as we put our trust in God, just as the police officer’s vehicle said…in God we trust.
My friend, just as the armor the police officer had on seemed over the top, some days the armor of God may feel the same way – but remember, each piece has a purpose and if we are to walk in the promises of God, we must daily put on and wear HIS armor. I encourage you today, begin your morning with putting on the full armor of God – as you do may you begin to walk in promises fulfilled, in safety and in purpose. That is my prayer for you today!
