Welcome to, or back to, afaithtalk.com. I am so glad you’re here whether you’ve been here before or are just intrigued by this post so you’re visiting for the first time. You’re more than welcome here.
I was reading Isaiah 59, boy is it sad news, but very encouraging too. And this reading lit up Ephesians 6. I knew the Bible was consistent, but it’s always a surprise to find another instance.
If you’ve never noticed that, you’re not reading enough. But don’t worry, stick with me and we’ll study our way to discovering the consistency as we go. Though this is likely only going to be one instance and there are so many to see.
Lots of them come through study and every Tuesday you can find another chapter here to study. Right now we’re in Romans, chapter 12 coming July 7th, but since it’s an every week thing, it won’t always be Romans.
So Isaiah 59 is kind of a lament in how it’s chronicling the ungodliness of the people in Israel at the time. Reminds me of Romans 1:17 to basically chapter 3. Awful things go on outside the Kingdom of God. In Romans it’s called godlessness and wickedness. Awful stuff. Anyway. There is also this encouragement that God can save, God can deliver and rescue and He sees and hears it all.
Verse 8a describes it:
The way of peace they do not know;
And it goes on to say that God saw no justice, no-one who would intervene for the people, no one to stand in the gap, ‘so his own arm achieved salvation for him,’ (verse 16)
And then it goes on to describe how God prepared Himself to repay with wrath and retribution. This is the verse that lit up Ephesian 6. If you can remember what’s in Ephesians 6 you already know where we’re going.
But first, the verse in Isaiah 59 that lit Ephesians 6.
Isaiah 59:17 (About the Lord)
He put on righteousness as his breastplate,
and the helmet of salvation on his head;
And now, you’ll see why it lit that up.
Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
It’s His armor we’ve been given. It’s His armor we’re told over and over to put on. Every day. There’s no way we can stand firm without it. No way to block the flaming arrows without it. No way to realize our fights are not with people, they’re with rulers, authorities, forces of evil in the heavenly realms without it. The armor is real. The armor works. The armor is vital to use. And it grows with you as you use it.
There’s commentary by Eugene Peterson in this Bible that I have had for a very long time, where he says something like: Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Faith, and Salvation are not just words. You’ll need them your entire life.
Priscilla Shirer wrote this four book series called The Prince Warriors where the kids in it use the armor to fight battles against evil. It’s a very encouraging series, even if it is technically fiction, it’s faith-filled fiction.
I highly recommend it. I’ve read it more than once and am looking forward to doing so again, it’s that good, that encouraging.
The armor is real. And God has His too. I’ve seen part of the shield. It’s huge. And covering all His people right now. You are always under His protection. You are never ever alone. He is always there. Watching, Listening, Speaking. Listen. Really listen.
Let’s pray.
Father, we ask for faith strong enough to believe this. We ask for Your Holy Spirit within us, to remind us, to teach us, to help us live Your way. Thank You for Your forgiveness and the relationship Jesus restored for us with You. Thank You for choosing and adopting and seeing us as Yours. Help us remember to wear the armor You so graciously give us and learn to use it in such a way that it glorifies You. And open our ears so we can hear You when you speak to us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.