Properly dressed!

Because I didn't want to miss out two posts on the Commandments, I held this one over.  It actually happened yesterday.  I was walking down into Motherwell at the time when the secondary schools were disgorging their pupils.  It was raining and, while the wind wasn't very strong, it was bad enough to make me zip up my jacket and keep my hood up.

He was walking towards me.  He looked as if he was about 13 years of age.  He was in the uniform of one of the local schools - grey trousers, white shirt and school tie, school blazer.  He also had what certainly appeared to be a more than adequate coat - hung over his arm!   I found it difficult to believe.  Weather conditions such as there were; the means of protecting himself from them; and he was not making use of that protection. 

Then I started to think, and realised that the boy - upon whom I may never again set eyes - was an illustration of so many who claim to be disciples of Jesus!  We walk through life, suffering all that the enemy throws at us.  We are, spiritually if not physically, bruised and battered.   Yet provision has been made for us; protection is available; if only we will make use of it.

Paul, in his letter to the disciples of Jesus in Ephesus, tells us to "Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Eph.6:11).   He then goes on to list each item of that armour (vs.14-17), and encourages us to "Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and perseverance." (v.18).  These are verses that are worthy of our meditation, and application!

A young teen may have felt that it was more 'macho' to walk in the rain and the wind with his coat over his arm.  The worst that would happen is that he would take longer to warm up when he reached his home (there may also have been an irate parent somewhere in the picture!).  When you and I fail to use the spiritual armour that the heavenly Father has provided for His children, then our own Christian walk is negatively affected, and our witness is likewise influenced.

Let us be sure that we put on that armour, and that we maintain it on a daily basis.  It will be for our own good, and will bring glory to His Name.

Wearing the armour.

Satan and his hosts are occupied with many things, including that of hindering the saints of God.  Paul was not free from such attacks, but declares that Satan stopped him from visiting the Christians in Thessalonica.  The back ground to the whole book of Job is interference by the adversary.  The devil even tried to divert Jesus from His ministry, although on that occasion, he more than met his match!

John Dorsey describes the enemy’s tactics in the following, poetic, words:  “I had a battle fierce, today, within my place of prayer; I went to meet, and talk, with God, but I found Satan there.  He whispered, ‘You can’t really pray, you lost out long ago; you might say words while on your knees, but you can't pray, you know.’ So then, I pulled my helmet down, way down upon my ears, and found it helped to still his voice, and helped allay my fears.  I checked my other armour o'er:  my feet with peace were shod; my loins with truth were girded 'round; my sword, the Word of God.  My righteous breastplate still was on, my heart's love to protect; my shield of faith was all intact - his fiery darts bounced back.  I called on God, in Jesus' Name;  I pled the precious blood; while Satan sneaked away in shame - I met, and talked, with God.”

There are few Christians who have not experienced such interference in their lives.  If we, however, follow John Dorsey’s example and “put on the whole armour of God” (Eph.6:11), we will find it much easier to stand when we are being buffeted by the enemy of our souls.  Let us find encouragement in I Thess.2:18, remembering that, if the devil is seeking to hinder us, it might just be because, like Paul, we are actually doing something right for God!

....and a thought:
    “Remember, the devil may be able to wall you around;
            but he cannot roof you in!”