The Armour

Romans 13:11-14 – And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. (NIV)

In the last nine months, two of my dogs have been attacked by a large, vicious, bully of a dog in our neighbourhood. One of the dogs, Sam, our little seven-pound Yorkie, came within a quarter of an inch of losing his life from one of these attacks. After all, how does a seven-pound lightweight, minding his own business, have a chance against a seventy-pound heavyweight looking for prey? I'll tell you how. His owner designs and sews for him a strong but lightweight suit of armour that he wears when he is out walking and running on the trails. Made of sturdy yet comfortable canvas and studded with strong, sharp carpet tacks, any attacker is bound to be repelled quickly if he ever clamps his slavering jaws on Sam again.

We, too, as God's children, are ever under the threat of attack — attack from the temptation to sin — to embrace the deeds of darkness which have the power to clamp with a vengeance onto any and all unsuspecting persons.

But praise God, for just as I designed and sewed a suit of armour for Sam, God in His wisdom and mercy has also prepared a suit of armour for us, that we might repel and withstand the attacks of temptation which come our way from the darkness. Christ Jesus, through the power of His Holy Spirit, is our armour of light — armour which clothes us each and every day as we yield ourselves — mind, body, and will — to His will and way.

So today, as this new day has dawned, let us each wake up and put on the armour of light. Let us choose to clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ that we might walk safely and unencumbered amidst our day with hope, confidence, and victory, as our sinful nature is repelled and silenced into defeat.

Prayer: Father God, how gracious and merciful You are to us Your children. Thank You for Your Son, our armour of light, Who repels the darkness both within and without. Bless us with lives yielding to His light each and every day, for indeed, our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. In His name, we ask these things. Amen.