20 March 2007
Passing the Armor to All
Today I shared the whole Armor All deal with the staff. They had some really great insights to share from their own experiences.
Incase you don’t know what I’m referring to, it’s this passage I shared 2 days ago (from Ephesians 6).
“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we[c] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.” 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.[d] 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.[e] 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all…”
My favorite insight?
Notice there is no mention of armor protecting your back. Someone shared that God is not a God who gives us the spirit of fear. We have no reason whatsoever to run and hide if we are doing the will of the Lord. In fact, we have every reason to advance!
So…
Who needs armor protecting the back?
Not me.
I’m not running.
How about you?
2 Comments currently posted.
JT says:
Heather Hoag says:
Isa 52:12 -
But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
Isa 58:8 -
Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
If the Lord is our rear guard then we do not need to be covered on our rear. This is also interesting because if we do turn to run we run right into God. Another exapmle of how we can not run from the Lord.
I was reading the Bible Study that I am teaching this spring - If You Want To Walk On Water You Have To Get Out Of The Boat by Jon Ortberg. In Chapter 10 he talks about how he was about to break up a barroom brawl. He yelled “Cut it out” and the men stopped fighting anf slunk away. He was impressed at his effective words when he noticed that the biggest man he had ever seen was standing behind him looking menecingly at the brawlers. He affectionately named this giant man “Mondo” (but not to his face) and said how brave he felt to have “Mondo” behind him. He went on to say how brave he would feel if he always had “Mondo” standing behind him everywhere he went…then he realized that he really does have “mondo” behind him “backing him up” but the one behind him was even stronger and bigger…it was the Lord who was his rear guard.
I’m not running…Job didn’t run…Apostle Paul didn’t run, most importantly Jesus didn’t run! Sounds to me like God doesn’t back down to anyone!
See ya tonight!