Righteousness like a Breastplate

[T]ake ... the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, ... having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;" - Ephesians 6:13-14a

The Bible lists eight essentials for withstanding evil days, warning us to take time now to prepare.

It takes boldness and confidence to withstand any adversity; any display of weakness or fear is an invitation for disaster. Spiritual adversity requires the boldness of being right with God - the Bible says "the righteous are bold as a lion."¹

We can't be bold by our own rightness for our best efforts are woefully inadequate but, thankfully, Jesus did the heavy lifting. He lived a righteous, sinless, life and offers himself to be our covering.

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." - Galatians 3:37

It is the breastplate, strong, fit, and unwavering, that the enemy sees not how well or inadequately we are behind it.

- fritz

^{1 - Proverbs 28:1b}

Truth Like a Belt

[T]ake ... the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, ... having your loins girt about with truth ..." - Ephesians 6:13-14a

We judge our needs by our best days but God warns us to prepare for our worst, when peace is not found, escape is not possible, and God seems distant.

Eight things are listed as essential armoury for evil days and first on the list is truth.

"Girding the loins" was putting on a waist belt,¹ it holds everything in place. "Truth", here, means, "not concealing". We can't stand in an evil day if we are a deceptive person. More than just confessing our sins before God, we need to be honest in our daily living.

If we are committed to honesty when no one is looking we will have nothing to fear from even the most intense scrutiny.

- fritz

^{1 - Mark 1:6}

Christian Armoury

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle ... against spiritual wickedness - Ephesians 6:11a,12b

It doesn't take a genius to recognize there is a battle going on; not just on the battle field but at work, in our own government, sometimes even in our own homes. And while there is a physical component in much of the struggle, it is a "spiritual" battle with unseen forces and our task is to stand for what is right.

A Roman guard must have walked passed Paul one day when the Holy Spirit said, "That man didn't leave his home naked, he prepared for whatever would come against him. My people need preparation too!"

Eight things are listed as essential armoury and they don't happen by accident but by purposeful intent: 1) Truth; 2) Righteousness; 3) Preparation; 4) Faith; 5) Know-So Salvation; 6) God's Word; 7) Prayer; and 8) Watchful eyes.

- fritz

Unique Resources

Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! ... with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee. - Psalm 81:13,16b

Honey doesn't come from rocks, but when we follow in God's ways he provides good things from unique and often impossible sources.

No immigrant!

"The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. - Psalm 87:6

I am no immigrant in the Kingdom of God; I am born there!

[T]o all ... who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God ... born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. - John 1:12-13

Trouble Every Day - Grace, Too

"For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee ... In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me." - Psalm 86:5,7

Realistically speaking, every day has trouble; some days it is more obvious than others.

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you" - 1st Peter 4:12

Likewise, every day is a day to call on God, rest in his protection, act with his guidance, and live in his grace and mercy.

"[R]ejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." - 1st Peter 4:13

- fritz

No Fair-Weather Friend

For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee ... In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me. - Psalm 86:5,7

God is no fair-weather friend. In Christ he is not easily offended and holds no grudges.

I expect he would like a little confidence from us that he would act according to the way he requests we act toward one another.

A radio preacher told the story of a father who threw his son's old dilapidated bicycle into the dumpster when asked by his son to fix it. His son was hurt and could not understand why his dad would do such a thing. He could not understand, that is, until his dad took him to buy a brand new bicycle.

"If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" - Jesus (Matthew 7:11)

-fritz