I am an Army vet. I served about ten years, but that's a story for another blog post I believe.
There was something we all learned in the Army (which I'm sure is consistent throughout each of the armed services): proper uniform. The uniform was of utmost importance and heavily emphasized. Our uniform was dictated by our command and it was constantly communicated to us what it should be at any given time given the activity we were engaging in and its suitable applicability. We were expected to know what the uniform was supposed to be for the activity we were engaging in, as much as we expected to know what it was from our command.
To be out of uniform was an embarrassment. If we were a lower rank, we were punished for being out of uniform. It was rare for leadership to be out of uniform but if they ever were they would then command us to wear the same uniform they were in. It was that important.
The simplicity of being Christ's soldier is a blessing. We really only have one uniform and it is the LORD's armour. Truly, His armour is the way we are truly strong in this life. Ephesians 6:10 says:
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might."
Raaaaak Chazzzak!
We must stand by faith to be strong in God! Oh we should desire to go in this His might!
"And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?"
~ Judges 6:14
What was Gideon's answer? What was "his might"? Did he say, "Yes, LORD, I know that I am strong. I will go in my might and slay the Midianites."? Nay. No!
"And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.
And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man."
~ Judges 6:15-16
He was poor and, therefore, weak! No, he did not have riches. He did not have arms or weapons -- but God did promise him that HE would be with him! He was with him! God was his might! O, what a promise! It seems even stronger when He said, "Surely". O, I want God to say unto my soul, unto our souls, "Surely". "Surely I will be with thee..."
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."
~ Ephesians 6:10-20
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."
As best you know, put on God's armour on now! Cloth yourself in this His most glorious protection!
Just as there was no sword like unto Goliath's sword (“And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me.” ~ 1 Samuel 21:9), there is none like God's armour and His Sword! Cry to Him: "O please give it me!"
Men are fascinated with their weapons and their firearms. Oh that we would be fascinated with God's armour!
Oh how I don't believe I perfectly realize how much I need it...
If I were to consider just these pieces of armor as graces or righteousnesses which God gives to help me fight then I would just pray:
1. Gird me with truth... give me Thy truth today! Cause me to stand with my loins girt about with It! JESUS is the Truth I need!
2. Protect my heart and spiritual vitals with Thy righteousness! Surround me by Thy righteousness! Lead me in paths of righteousness for Thy name’s sake! JESUS is my righteousness!
3. Let Thy Gospel strengthen my feet and cause me to go! I bring Thy peace! JESUS is my Gospel!
4. Give me faith! Oh, strengthen my faith! Shield me with Thy faith! JESUS is my faith!
5. Deliver me, deliver my mind, LORD! Save me from myself! Save me from spiritual wickedness in high places! Save me from the world! May I cast down imaginations that exhalt themselves against Thy knowledge! JESUS is my salvation!
6. Help me to utilize Thy Word abundantly today! Spirit of God, wield Thy mighty sword in me and through me! JESUS is the Word of God!
7. Strengthen me through prayer! May I seek Thee moment by moment and pray without ceasing! My spiritual coms must be up at all times! JESUS is my prayer and praise!
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
I accept that I am not wrestling against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual wickedness in high places! Do you, dear reader?
O may our aim be laser-like in our resolve to battle in God's might! We need His armour in order to wrestle! I can't wrestle any other way! You can't!
We are naked and out of uniform if we do not wear God's armour!
"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."
Because of this! Wherefore! I must take Thine armour! It doesn't just happen automatically! Take it! It's yours to take! I cannot even withstand in the evil day if I have not Thine armour on! Neither can you!
"Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, "
Truth is first! Knowledge of the truth, embracing the truth, loving the truth is the principle thing! I gird myself with the truth! May it surround you even now!
If my loins aren't girt about I'm not ready. If they are girt about with falsehood, I'm not ready. If it is a false girdle, it will break and I will stumble and fall and won't be able to standfast. I need God's truth! You need it! Pray: "Gird me in with Thy truth, dear LORD! Surround me with Thy truth!"
"and having on the breastplate of righteousness;"
Pray: I place about my breast the breastplate of righteousness! O, how I need it! I hunger and thirst for Thy righteousness! The breastplate of righteousness is able to protect my vitals! My spiritual heart, my lungs, my liver, my kidneys! Fill my heart and protect it with Thy righteousness, dear LORD JESUS! Protect me from wickedness!
"And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; "
O what a glorious shodding! Pray: "I welcome the preparation of the Gospel of peace to shod my feet! O, JEHOVAH, make it so! I shod my feet with that which prepares the Gospel of peace! Make my feet beautiful with Thy Gospel! May I run to tell it! Good News!"
"Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."
"Above all these, I take Thy shield of faith."
What a mighty shield! What a glorious shield! With it we shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked! "I trust in Thee! Not mine own self!"
"And take the helmet of salvation,"
"I take Thy helmet of salvation! Protect my mind, please! Deliver it from all sin! Free it to meditate in Thee! Help me know I am seated in the heavens with Thee already! At least spiritually so! There is a connection, my hope which I hold onto as an anchor of my soul!"
" ... and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God:"
"I take Thy sword, the sword of Thy very SPIRIT, which is Thy Word!"
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"
I want to pray always, with all prayer and supplication! It is my coms in the SPIRIT! I must watch thereunto (in prayer) with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints as well! FATHER, help all Thy saints in this hour! Help us fight! Help us war a good warfare!
"And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."
~ Ephesians 6:10-20
"Help us all have Thy utterance given unto us, that we may open our mouths boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel!"
Don't be out of uniform, dear reader. It's embarrassing to be so if you are true child of God. Get ready for warfare. You will face it today. It's inevitable. Will you be ready? Will you be able to stand in the evil day?