Sometimes we must fight real battles on multiple fronts–physically, mentally, psychologically, emotionally and spiritually. This week I have found myself with my head in my hands numerous times because of distressing situations that that came in like a tidal wave on our family. I have cried out to the Lord for help, and I know He is there and hears our prayers, but I often feel very alone in a dark place that I can’t find my way out of. Just like David when he lost his home and family to an Amalekite raiding party, I have found myself in a place where I must “encourage myself in the Lord.” (1 Samuel 30:6) What can we do when we are experiencing trials and testing like this, when we feel alone in our struggles against the enemy who comes in like a flood?
Ephesians 6:11-20 describes a set of armor that all believers should wear daily to ward off the attacks of the enemy.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles [schemes] of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 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. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 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…
You have probably heard this passage before, and this God-given armor is so very important to each child of God. We all have a real enemy who prowls around like a lion, seeking whom he may devour. We need to be fully equipped to stand against the devil when he comes against us. But the good news is that we are not fighting alone. God’s got our back.
Did you know that God donned His own suit of armor and went to battle against the enemy, the devil, for your very soul? Look with me in Isaiah 59:16-19,
Then the LORD saw it, and it displeased Him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor; therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; and His own righteousness, it sustained Him. For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak. According to their deeds, accordingly He will repay fury to His adversaries, recompense to His enemies…So they shall fear the name of the LORD from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun; when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.
God FOUGHT for your salvation, and He is still fighting on your behalf! In every wave of onslaught that the devil attacks us, God will repel him with a flood of His fury. The enemy is already defeated. God’s victory is sure. We may still have to stand up and fight because the devil does not play fair, but it is comforting to know that God is backing us up with His own suit of armor ready to come to our defense. When we cry out to the Lord, His heart is stirred up with compassion for us and He comes running to our aid.
Keep up the good fight of faith! Don’t give the enemy even one inch. Don’t let him get even a little toe in the door of your heart. God is on your side and He is cheering you on to good works and victory. Rejoice in the Lord today, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!
–dmrf