THE FULL ARMOR
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Ephesians 6:13 (ESV)
Some mistakes you never make twice! When my wife and I were newly married, we lived in a house with a few mystery hedges outside it. I have never been one for understanding different types of plants; I just knew the overgrown hedge outside our window needed trimming so we could see out of it again! So on one particularly hot day, I grabbed my trimmers and started trimming our plant monstrosity down to something more manageable. After a few hours, a lot of sweat and multiple piles of trimmings, we could see out the window again.
Later that evening, my arms and legs started to feel uncomfortably itchy — and the next morning, my arms, legs, face and everything not covered by my T-shirt and shorts were inflamed with, you guessed it, poison ivy. My clothes protected parts of me, but anything beyond their coverage was exposed to and affected by the toxic chemical.
In this Scripture, the Apostle Paul alludes to the need to protect ourselves from something far more dangerous than poison ivy—the enemy's multifaceted attacks. Because the devil is so devious, his attacks can come in many forms and require all kinds of protection. Thankfully, the spiritual armor God provides covers you from head to toe! Paul is saying: put on the FULL armor of God—and leave no piece of God's protective covering out.
The Greek verb Paul uses for take up the whole armor of God is analambano, and it conveys a sense of urgency. Like a military commander instructing his troops before a crucial battle, Paul is saying something like, Do it now! or Take quick action...there's no time to lose as you put on God's complete, total and impenetrable armor.
APPLICATION: As you start this day, envision yourself putting on God's full armor, covering yourself from head to toe. Remind yourself that the enemy's attacks are unpredictable, but you've been given head-to-toe protection from whatever he may throw at you.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me head-to-toe protection from whatever the enemy would attack me with. Your armor is complete, effective and impenetrable. In Your armor, please cover me, protect me and keep me ready for whatever may come my way today. In Jesus' name, Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?