Today's Readings - Jeremiah 27-28, Ephesians 6, Psalm 116:1–10, Proverbs 25:1-2
Devotional - All the Armor
I am not good at bargaining. On our way back from the Essing villages, we always stop for a day in Ziguinchor, Senegal, and we go to the Artisan compound to do a little bit of souvenir shopping. Our guide, Alioune, is a master at haggling down the price. He won't settle until he gets the lowest possible price. I tend to give in and pay way too much. I settle.
Paul warns us, in Ephesians 6, not to settle for less than all that God has for us. We can't afford to settle. That is not some kind of motivational-guru, "be-all-you-can-be" call to reach your full potential. Paul is warning us that the days are evil and the enemy is powerful. You and I cannot afford to go into battle poorly armed and shoddily prepared. It's foolish. It's spiritual self-destruction.
Each of those pieces of armor represents two things - they represent Christ and they represent the power of the Word. You need to walk daily in the fullness of the Spirit, as chapter 5 commanded, but you also need to be in the word so that the power of Christ will be fully revealed in you. Your head, your heart, your feet, all of you need to be immersed in the word of God so that the power and presence of Christ will be seen through you.
Don't settle for anything less than the full armor of God.
Paul warns us, in Ephesians 6, not to settle for less than all that God has for us. We can't afford to settle. That is not some kind of motivational-guru, "be-all-you-can-be" call to reach your full potential. Paul is warning us that the days are evil and the enemy is powerful. You and I cannot afford to go into battle poorly armed and shoddily prepared. It's foolish. It's spiritual self-destruction.
The enemy is always ready, always prepared, always going about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. The Christian who goes out without the full armor is destined to fail in his battles with the principalities and powers.Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Ephesians 6:10-13.
Each of those pieces of armor represents two things - they represent Christ and they represent the power of the Word. You need to walk daily in the fullness of the Spirit, as chapter 5 commanded, but you also need to be in the word so that the power of Christ will be fully revealed in you. Your head, your heart, your feet, all of you need to be immersed in the word of God so that the power and presence of Christ will be seen through you.
Don't settle for anything less than the full armor of God.
Father, clothe me today in the full armor of your Son!
Think and Pray
Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?
Are you settling for less than the full armor of God, or are you putting on all the resources God has given you, and walking in the full armor of God?
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