“So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, ‘I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.’ So David took them off.” 1 Samuel 17:38-39
Armor That Fits
One year at Christmas, my then-7-year-old son received the gift of a chain mail vest that was similar to that worn by soldiers on ancient battlegrounds. For those who are unfamiliar with chain mail, it is armor made of closely linked chains that is worn under clothing to protect a warrior. I have a picture of my son wearing it, standing on top of a table outside, blowing a bugle into the winter wind. The armor was too big for him, and too heavy to wear for any length of time. He soon took it off, and it remains hung on a hook these 20 years.
That’s the problem with armor that doesn’t fit. You can’t wear it for long. It’s rather useless. In the end, it offers no protection because you just can’t maneuver in it. It’s a burden you can’t carry, and one that you certainly can’t fight in—as young David discovered.
David knew that the best protection is God. “Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword, with a spear and with a javelin. But I come to you in the Name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel… Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands’” (1 Samuel 17:45, 47).
God, with millions upon millions of heavenly hosts, with all strength and power belonging to Him, and all resources at His disposal, and command of all spiritual bodies, and authority over all created beings, has given His followers one-size-fits-all armor, that we might fight alongside Him. Not that He needs us to help, but He asks us to enter the battle anyway, do what we are able, and then to stand and watch Him finish it off.
“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” (Ephesians 6:13). The weapons are familiar to most of us: truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer. One size fits all. Any follower in His army can take these up, carry them, wield them in battle, and experience victory.
“Gracious Lord, may we learn to use the weapons You provide against our common enemy. May we never again just lie down and take the enemy’s darts, as if we had no way to fight. Thank You for Your enabling. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Thank you!! I have been under attack the last two days and what a great reminder for me that I can visually put on my ARMOR, and it fits perfectly, with each piece I feel God’s protection and strength that I can withstand what is going on, and that God’s perfect will, will prevail. Lord, I pray that you protect me, fill me anew today with your Holy Spirit, let it overflow from me onto others, help me to forgive my attacker and I pray your powerful presence in her life as well as mine. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.
Years ago, as I left the house to work, I would put on a worship song (instrumental) and pray the ‘full armor of God’ on my and my loved ones, and finished as I pulled into my parking spot. There was always ‘warfare’, however, the ‘fiery darts of the enemy’ did not come near me and I was strengthened mightily, and was able to witness and testify that it was “not by might, not by power, but by My Spirit, says The Lord”, when people would ask me “how are you able to hold up under such a heavy load?”. Well, sad to say, I’ve gotten so ‘bogged down’ in trying to handle so many issues affecting others, that I have drifted away from that one true source of strength….The Armor of God. Thank you so much for reminding me with your beautiful writing today! God Bless You All