Wednesday, December 21, 2011

suit of armor

Two days ago I got a text from a friend who I haven't seen since we stopped at her home for dinner on our road trip across the country 2 1/2 years ago.  And yet somehow it feels like she lives right next door.  She has four sisters like me and our soul connection grows deeper from there.  Her text was in reply to a recent post I wrote about spiritual warfare and I answered by admitting that there can't be any gap in the armor.  ABIDING is the only way to be fully clothed for battle.  This feels like a battle.  Apparently the reference I made to a passage in scripture was a repetition for whatever God was already teaching her.  He is cool like that.  Fellowship AND accountability are imporatant, people.  Even across the miles.

Yesterday I opened up my One Year Bible where I did the reading for September 28th on December 20th.  And there perfectly planned was Ephesians 6:10-18.  Isn't He awesome?!

Today I was back in Isaiah and read 59:15-17a.
Yes, truth is gone, and anyone who tries to live a godly life is soon attacked.  The LORD looked and was displeased to find that there was no justice.  He was amazed to see that no one intervened to help the oppressed.  So he himself stepped in to save them with mighty power and justice.  He put on righteousness as his body armor and placed the helmet of salvation on his head.
Seriously God?!  I didn't even know references to the armor of God were in Isaiah and this scripture seems to apply to my day perfectly.  I mean, if the LORD put on armor to do the will of the Father shouldn't it be good enough for us too?

Are you prepared for whatever the enemy might fling at you today?  Because if you are trying to live a godly life you will be attacked.  Showing up to fight the enemy with just two little fists (the equivalent of a relationship with God that you once had in the past) and whatever cute outfit you picked out to wear on December 21, 2011 you might get battered and bruised in the storm.  Some days require a full suit of armor.  These are the days of our lives.

5 comments:

Chelsea said...

I always loved the analogy that God's suit of armor was only referenced to protecting the front of the warrior. There was not armor in His list that protects our back. When we are willing to stand and fight then we will be protected in the battle; it is when we turn our backs to run away that we get hit with the "flaming arrows of the evil one."

May your armor continue to protect you from all that the enemy wants to attack you with. Prayers for you and your family today.

AML said...

Wow! Thanks for sharing that image. Love you.

AuntieBee said...

Yes, thank you Chelsea for sharing that! I've never looked at it that way. What a blessing to know!

Mom RS said...

When we are armored up and ready to go, the Lord continues to surround us. He pointed me to Isa. 53:11-13 when I was debating whether to enter into my heartfelt ministry in 1999.
Vs. 13 "for the Lord will go before you, the God if Israel will be your read guard." And so it goes-His love and protection is never failing. When we hesitate and flinch to look back, we see Him and powerfully move forward. God is Love. God is all powerful. God is Amazing!

tommysmommy said...

Thanks Alexis. I think I needed this reminder today... been a rough couple days, nothing big, just the stress that come with the season (that shouldn't). It's hit me at a spiritual level and I needed the reminder to fight!