March 22nd - Suit Up!

How foolish we would be to learn all about our armor and then just admire it. We are instructed to put it on. We are in a battle, so we need to suit up. But how?

Paul doesn’t say precisely how we put it on, so it’s probably not important how we put it on; it’s important that we put it on. We can thank the Lord every morning for each piece as we visualize them, for example, asking His help to use them as He leads. Or we can say, “I put on my belt of truth,” and then thank Him for each piece. We can remind ourselves at any time of day or night about each amazing piece of our armor, asking Him to make sure that our “belt of truth” is securely buckled, that He will show us things that we may be thinking or doing that might tarnish His “breastplate of righteousness,” etc.

Hand motions can help us to remember what the pieces of our armor are. The first 3 — our belt, breastplate and shoes — require 2 hands to put on, so those go on first — hands on hips for belt, on chest for breastplate, then point to our feet to “put on” our shoes. Then pick up our shield with our left hand, put on our helmet with our right hand, then use our now-free right hand to pick up our sword. Now with prayer, we are fully armed and battle-ready.

A wise person recognizes danger and prepares for it. So let’s make sure we are fully protected in our amazing suit of God’s armor at all times. The most important thing to remember about each piece of armor is that each one is grounded in His Word. Let’s make sure our ideas about truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, and salvation continue to line up with His Word. And when we feel particularly under attack, let’s immerse ourselves all that much more in His Word. Then let’s thank Him for His provision and the privilege of joining in His battle to accomplish His will.

Today’s Action:

Let’s read Proverbs 22 together, with hearts that seek His correction and direction, so we can be more effective warriors.

“A prudent and far-sighted person sees the evil of sin and hides himself from it, but the naive continue on & are punished by suffering the consequences of sin.”

Proverbs 22:3 (AMP)