The Same only BETTER.

Looking for protection from the trials of life?

Some say the armor of Ephesians 6 is sufficient.

I say there’s a new and improved version to consider.

I’ve been pondering it since listening to a sermon by Brad Evans, a senior pastor in Coventry CT. Preaching under the title “Know How to Stand Firm in the Evil Day” he suggests Paul had an Old Testament reference in mind when he wrote Ephesians 6. The man makes sense.

Isaiah cried out to God for deliverance from a world that was deteriorating into chaos. where sin was abounding and justice, righteousness, honesty, truth could no longer be found.

Can you relate to his plea?

The Prophet explains God’s response to the mayhem.

“The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice.
He saw that there was no one,
he was appalled that there was no one to intervene;
so his own arm worked salvation for him,
and his own righteousness sustained him.
He put on righteousness as his breastplate,
and the helmet of salvation on his head;
he put on the garments of vengeance
and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.”  Isaiah 59:15b-17

Isaiah tells us God put on the articles of war, a breastplate and helmet among them.

Sound familiar?

“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.” Ephesians 6:10-13 [emphasis mine]

I’ve always taken the two mentions of the “armor of God” to mean that I was to don the armor specifically designed by God to protect me. In light of Isaiah 59 and Pastor Evan’s insight, the directions are even more powerful. 

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul is telling those who trust in Christ to clothe ourselves in the very same protective armor that the LORD puts on when He confronts the enemy’s spiritual forces. The articles of war we need to strap on are intimately richer than the right pieces made of the right material in the right size and shape.

We’re being called to put on the divine armor worn by our omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent King. The divine armor that protected Christ through the temptation in the desert. The divine armor that brought victory on Calvary and from the tomb.

Truth.

Righteousness.

Peace.

Faith.

Salvation.

The Word of God.

This armor is battle-worn and victorious.

How am I supposed to do all that in the midst of the confusion and craziness of my circumstances? 

Fair question.

Gotta go with Pastor Evans again.

We need to hungrily pursue a life of earnest prayer, diligent study, heartfelt praise, deep meditation, honest supplication, constant thanksgiving.

I want to keep my heart and mind, my life, filled up with truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the Word of God.

That is what will give me victory over the wiles of the enemy.

How about you?
Are you hearing the sounds or feeling the heat of battle?
The new and improved divine suit of armor is available for your protection too.
Let’s compare notes as we clothe ourselves.