Sabbath Devotional :: The Armor of God

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 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.

Ephesians 6:10-17 (NIV)

We have seen horrific images this week. We have waged battles personally and communally and lost on some fronts. We may fear. We may grieve. We may feel like the world is hurtling hellward at speeds we cannot fathom.

Through all that tumult can we still hear this? “. . . In me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

For the most part I am not a fan of military imagery. But when I read the exhortation in Ephesians 6, I am willing to strap on and buckle. Are you? “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.”

But what if the battle doesn’t go as we’d hoped? “After you have done everything, to stand.”

The impulse may be to collapse, to dissolve into an existential puddle of woe. But we are called “to stand”.

Note that the scripture continues: “Stand firm then . . .” After the battle, after you have done all you can. And what are the protections — the armor, if you must — to wrap around and onto ourselves while we await our next call to action?

Truth
Righteousness (which we can claim only through the grace of Christ)
Readiness
Peace
Faith
Salvation
“the Spirit, which is the word of God”

These are our pieces of armor — our protections — as we prepare to face new challenges.

They are also our succor, our bandages, our healing balms for the wounds of disappointment, damaged egos, discrimination and so much more that comes “after you have done everything.”

Bless you, sisters, in all your efforts. Thank you for your cohesion, for your willingness, for your energy and determination. Thank you for your efforts — to aid Teresa, to hound your members of Congress, to pray for your friends (and enemies), to increase your understanding of complex issues, and to speak up and out for worthy causes. (And if you weren’t all wearing those flamboyant helmets of salvation, I would kiss you each on the top of your beloved noggins!)

Much love — Linda