Ephesians 6.13-24 (1)
Pray Psalm 105.6, 7.
O seed of Abraham His servant,
You children of Jacob, His chosen ones!
He is the LORD our God;
His judgments are in all the earth.
Sing Psalm 105.6, 7.
(Warrington: Give to Our God Immortal Praise)
You holy children of Abraham, you chosen ones of Jacob, stand!
He is our LORD, of wondrous worth; His judgments are in all the earth.
Read Ephesians 6.13-24; meditate on verse 13.
What does it mean to “take up”?
Preparation
1. What are we to “take up”?
2. To what end?
Meditation
“You could get killed out there.” That’s what we were told by the equipment manager who made sure, in those long-ago days of my college football, that we always had the right and best equipment we needed. He was right, of course.
So is God, but more so. The equipment we need will not only save our life; it will save our soul. But we have to take it up—make sure we know how to use each piece; have it with us always; encourage our fellow believers in the proper use of each weapon. Wield them ferociously as needed.
I read somewhere that a Roman soldier had all the equipment he needed to defend so many square feet of ground. He did not need a catapult, a bow, or even a spear. He was at the front of things. He needed certain weapons, he needed them all together, and he needed them every day. So do we.
To “take up the whole armor of God” must be part of our daily disciplines in following Jesus. But what is that armor? How shall we use it? To what end?
The goal is simple: That, having done all for that one day, you may be seen to be still standing with Jesus. Not pinned beneath some sin. Not ensnared in some enemy’s trap. Bruised and battered a bit, perhaps, but still standing. Like Cool Hand Luke: Hit me again, Satan. Gimme your best shot. I’m still going to stand for Jesus.
You could get killed out there. So keep your weapons in proper order and learn to take them up well. Thus you will put your foot on the devil’s neck and stand there with Jesus, rejoicing.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
“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” (Eph. 6.13).
The first word, “therefore”, sets the stage—gives us the reasoning—for our need to fully dress for the battle.
In truth, be aware: This will be a spiritual battle—vicious and unlovely—of heart, mind, and soul.
The spiritual battle may include physicality—illness, altercations, persecution—but is not the focus.
It will be a moment-by-moment battle for our souls—specifically, and chronically.
However, dressed well, we can encounter and fight against anything, and win.
“What then shall we say to these things?
If God is for us, who can be against us?”
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
No, none of those things can separate us from the love of Jesus.
“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us.
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life,
nor angels nor principalities nor powers,
nor things present nor things to come,
nor height nor depth,
nor any other created thing,
shall be able to separate us from the love of God
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8.31, 35, 37-39).
But we must “put on and take up” (Eph. 6.11, 13) the whole armor of God.
Not a partial or haphazard dressing; but a full-on covering of God’s daily protective gear.
Think of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego: The more they had on—these men were bound with ropes wearing their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their other garments—the more obvious it was that nothing about them got burned up in Nebuchadnezzar’s pointlessly overheated fire. They didn’t even smell like smoke. Their spirits were prepared for this battle.
“Our God Whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace,
and He will deliver us from your hand.
But if not, let it be known to you, O king,
that we do not serve your gods,
nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”
And their reward?
They, and their enemy Nebuchadnezzar, saw their Victorious Helper:
“Look!” said Nebuchadnezzar, “I see four men loose,
walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt,
and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” (Daniel 3.12-29)
They could not be separated from Him.
Indeed, he saw their Savior and ours.
“But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD;
He is their strength in the time of trouble.
And the LORD shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him” (Ps. 37.39, 40). “Therefore” do what He says and get fully garbed.
Reflection
1. How do people know where you “stand”?
2. What opportunities to take your stand do you anticipate today?
3. How should you prepare each day to take your stand with Jesus?
The Christian armour is made to be worn; and there is no putting off our armour till we have done our warfare, and finished our course. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Ephesians 6.13
Pray Psalm 105.1-5, 8-11.
Praise God for His salvation, His covenant, His strength, His marvelous good works, and for the victories He will give you today in your warfare against wickedness and evil.
Sing Psalm 105.1-5, 8-11.
(Warrington: Give to Our God Immortal Praise)
Give thanks unto the LORD Most High; call on His Name, before Him cry!
Make known His deeds in every land; sing praise for all the works of His hand.
Glory in God, rejoice in heart, all you who seek His holy part.
Him and His strength and Presence seek; His works proclaim, His judgments speak.
He will His covenant faithfully guard—His oath, the promise of His Word.
That which He to our fathers swore, He will perform forevermore!
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest: In our ReVision series we turn to examine the essential values of the Kingdom economy. Our Read Moore podcast is now reading through Joy to Your World!. The Crosfigell teaching letter continues our study of Coemgen of Glendalough. Check out our other excellent writers. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
