Recently our office has been studying the armor of God as it is outlined in Ephesians 6:11-18. Each week, we have been looking at a single piece of the armor loosely correlated with one of our Firms core values. We are still working through the study, but I have already learned so much and have been able to really see both the pieces of God’s armor and our core values in a new light and with a new level of importance.
I tend to focus on the positive things in life and look for silver linings rather than give much attention to the pending dangers that lurk both in our physical world, as well as, in a spiritual sense. Part of this is due to being a “Pollyanna” type personality and part of it out of necessity of 20+ years being married to a law enforcement officer. One of my favorite sounds in the world is the sound of the velcro on my spouse’s bullet proof vest being undone. When he worked night shift, he would sometimes get home in the early hours of the morning and even though not fully awake, I would feel such a peace hearing the scratchy sound of him loosening the velcro on his vest. In taking off his body armor, he confirmed to me, even in my sleep, that he was home again safely. I still say a prayer to God thanking Him for another safe day every time my spouse comes home.
While, I have always loved the sound of the armor being removed, I had never really pondered much the process of it being put on, but in Ephesians that is the only thing we are instructed to do.
“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.” Ephesians 6:11-18.
Oddly enough there is no mention of removing the armor. Unlike police or military body armor, it must not be insanely heavy, hot and limiting to one’s movements. The armor of God must be custom-made to protect us in every way while comfortably doing all the things that God has called us to do. How kind of God to provide everything we need to stand firm in Him, and all we have to do is put it on and trust Him.
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