This morning’s reading was on one of my most favorite sections of Scripture that I return to quite often. When I saw the reference I knew what was coming. When I saw the reference I knew it was an answered prayer because all week the words “Stand Firm” have been running through my head. What I didn’t know though was when those words came it was foreshadowing where we’d go this weekend. But oh the joy, this deep dive is going to be so much fun.
Then when I read it today tons of it jumped out at me, it never ever hurts to keep reading Scripture. It will often say something different to you if you keep at it. This morning it was more than just Stand Firm that jumped.
Let’s make a deep dive…first prayer…
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for having this short section of wonderful Scripture for us to go through this morning. Thank You for being so very active in it and in me and for pointing out what we need to see while we read it. I love you, Lord. In Your Precious name, I pray. Amen.
Yes, I’m leaving the subheading here because it’s focused… you’ll see. (This is Ephesians 6:10-20 in the NIV.)
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Woah, yes, this is going to be a deep dive, meaning a slow, slow walk through this…
Return to the subheading…
The Armor of God – it’s His. It’s not ours. It’s offered to us for our protection and for our participation in what He’s doing in our world and in our lives. His very own armor.
So finally, after all you’ve been through, after all you’ve done, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Do lights come on for you? Mighty Power… Rewind to Ephesians 1… This is verses 19b-21 is one sentence. It’s a a declaration.
That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
It’s incomparably great power. It’s the power that raised Christ not just from the dead but all the way up. He’s over all the rule and authority, power and dominion and every name that is invoked not only now but in the future.
He is the KING of Kings, LORD of lords, Mighty Father, Savior and Friend. And He’s closer to you then your next breath. Listen…He’s right there.
Back to chapter 6
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
You have to actually put it on, it’s not automatically on you, though according to Peter we are always protected under God’s shield. Still, you’ll be unarmed without it and it’s a dangerous world to go without the armor so generously supplied.
12 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.
Feel like those around you are what’s causing the trouble in your life? Nope. It’s the rulers and authorities and spiritual forces of evil, though you should watch, it could be the evil within, the self-centeredness that really needs to be put down and Jesus put on the throne of your life.
Try it, it’s amazing what you can live through when you’re covered in his shield, his armor and He’s on the throne of your life.
13 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.
After you have done everything you will still be able to Stand. What this everything will entail, I don’t know. It’s coming on the day of evil so spend your time now winning souls for the Kingdom. Right now there are more of them than there are of us. How can you love someone into the kingdom this week? This will come. It’s certain. He is close. He is returning. He will come and the day of evil has something to do with His return.
Therefore – that’s a declaration if I’ve ever heard one. And what does he start it with? Stand firm.
14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The Armor includes Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Faith, Salvation and God’s Word.
If you happen to read The Message translation, you will see that it’s written like this:
Ephesians 6:13-17 Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long.
Think of truth as holding everything together. Truth does that.
Think of Righteousness as the Gift you have received for your faith in Christ and what He’s done for you. You’re covered in His Righteousness.
Think of Peace as His blessing of nearness, He can further bless it by giving you that peace that passes understanding, that only comes from Him. But as shoes, this peace means walk gently. Share peace, spread peace, it’s a beautiful fragrance.
Salvation: Jesus’ name is God Saves. God did it all. And because we’re covered in the blood of Jesus we are saved. It’s all over Romans if you want more detail about that. And who knows, but one day we might go there here too.
Faith, well none of this comes without faith. Faith is the whole reason I’m here writing this and sharing it. For your faith and for mine. It’s the constantly needed piece. It’s your shield.
God’s word, the Sword. It’s an indispensable weapon but only against evil. And in the same way, prayer is essential. Essential.
18 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. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
So with all this in mind….
Be alert
And always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
And for your own pastor. And look, Paul tells us how to pray for them. Pray that they and all the leaders of your local church will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel and declare it fearlessly as they should.
And if you should think to do so, pray for me, and everyone like me who shares God’s Word and their Faith with you. Pray that we would all do so fearlessly.
Let’s end this with a prayer because it’s essential.
Father this is simply gold. This Scripture is so beautiful, so wonderful, so rock solid, and I thank you for leading me to it today. I thank you for pushing me to write and for working my hands along the keyboard today to say what You wanted said. I always trust you. Thank You for getting me so far along the list for today. You are simply wonderful. So I ask, wrap truth around us, cover our hearts in righteousness, set our feet in peace, set your helmet on our heads to transform our thoughts to be more aligned with yours. Deploy the shield and help our faith grow and thereby strengthen it. Keep Your Word on our tongues and in our minds and always on our hearts. Your Word, oh Lord, is beautiful and peaceful and absolutely indispensable. So fill us with it. Thank You. In Jesus’ name and all by way of Jesus, I pray. Amen.