The Lord's Armor

Read Isaiah 59
 
Isaiah 59:16-17 He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him. 17 He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.
 
ONCE more we see how the New Testament connects with Isaiah. The apostle Paul encouraged the church in Ephesus to withstand the evil around them. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:10-17) This is a plain visual of God’s power covering us and conquering evil.
   And now we can see that the “armor of God” is not simply an illustration, it is the definition and declaration of God’s power to protect his people, to deliver us from evil and to transform sin into salvation. From Isaiah 59:1-15, the LORD denounces Israel’s and the world’s sins, concluding with this: Isaiah 59:15 Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice.
   What then, is his solution? God will do his own work. He will put on his own armor. His own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him. 17 He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak. Full of grace, desiring to redeem and forgive, God stretched his mighty arm with the shield of his righteousness to act against sin. He sustained Judah through the exile. He, the LORD, sent Jesus to earth and to the cross. The Holy Father received Jesus from the grave, so Jesus, the Son of Man, will come wrapped in glorious garments of vengeance against evil and the garments of praise for the salvation of his own. 
   When Paul wrote, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” he was telling the church to be as God is. God’s power over sin is righteousness. God’s almighty strength is announcing, affirming and living the truth. Our only offense to defeat sin is to be as God. Jesus said it this way: Matthew 5:48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Live in God’s righteousness. Rejoice in his salvation.
   Who or what is attacking you, your faith, your loved one or your church? The response is clear. Use God’s armor; it will defend you head to toe, heart to soul; it will attack, defeat and destroy the enemy.
 
Be sure to see in two days our lesson from Isaiah 61. We examine further on how to dress in God’s armor.