21st Century Armor

Walking in the Truth

Today's scripture reading

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, & after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist . . . Ephesians 6:13-14a

Today's devotional thoughts

Somebody else is doing the "heavy lifting" * in today's devotional thoughts. I am "borrowing" text written by Rev. Jerry M. Kosberg from his book In His Mighty Power, 2004, pp. 112-113. [For context, read the comments following today's prayer thoughts.]
* I flatter myself by associating the phrase "heavy lifting" w/my devotionals. Most of my devotionals are adapted from those I wrote last year for the Lutheran High Northeast Daily Bulletin. I am merely adapting them for a broader audience than just students attending a Lutheran High School. **
** Not that it would hurt them to review! I definitely don't flatter myself--& this is partially based on first-hand observation--by thinking that my high school students sat w/rapt attention during the reading of my devotions. I hope that at least a few of them did. At least occasionally.

In order to gain some valuable insight into Eph. 6:13-14a, you may find it very helpful to read the entire passage written by St. Paul in his Epistle to the Ephesians [and us!] in Chapter 6:10-18. 

"Why wear a belt? Well, it keeps everything in the right place. It keeps your pants up, your shirt tucked in, or your big floppy coat from getting in the way. With a belt you can move more freely & quickly. With a belt you feel more secure. This was even more important in wearing the various pieces of armor. The belt keeps the right armor in the right place, protecting you where you needed it. A belt keeps everything in the right place.

"Paul talks about a 'belt of truth.' How is truth a belt? Or, how does truth keep everything in its right place? Well, when you think about it, that's exactly what truth does, isn't it? What keeps our mind from flying all over the place & falling for every satanic lie, whim & fad? Knowing the truth. What keeps us firmly rooted in the right & the good? The truth. What holds us to Jesus, who He is & what He has done for us? The truth.

"Jesus spoke about truth as a front line battleground in spiritual warfare when He said in John 8:44:  You belong to your father, the devil, & you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar & the father of lies.

What holds things in place for us spiritually? The truth. Because Satan * cannot stand the truth, when we have truth as our belt, holding everything in place, we have a powerful piece of our spiritual arsenal in place. That is why Jesus prays in His High Priestly Prayer the night before His death:  My prayer is not that You take them [His disciples] ** out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. (John 17:15-17)
* Do you believe in Satan? Terror attacks in recent weeks have led me to believe even more strongly that their is a devil & he is actively at work.
** His words are intended for you & me, His 21st century disciples, too.

"How does that truth become ours? Jesus also explained that the night before His death:  I [Jesus] have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. (John 16:13).

"Jesus' promise was fulfilled when the Spirit came on Pentecost & called, gathered & enlightened the Church. [If this phrase sounds familiar, you may be recalling it from Luther's explanation of the 3rd Article of the Apostles' Creed.] The Spirit led the apostles to write the truth of God's Word & continues to lead God's people through the truth. So, how do we 'buckle up' the truth? Scripture gives many images of this.

• 1 Corinthians 13:6  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
• Philippians 4:8  Finally, brothers,whatever is true . . . think about such things.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:10  They perish because they refused to love the truth.
• 2 Timothy 2:15  . . . who correctly handles the word of truth.
• 1 Peter 1:22  Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth.
• 3 John 3:3  It gave me great joy to haver some brothers come & tell about your faithfulness to the truth.

"When we rejoice in the truth, think about it, love it, correctly handle it, obey it & are faithful to it, we Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place. (Ephesians 6:14)"

Today's prayer thoughts

Ask the Lord to equip you with the belt of truth through Your daily reading of His Holy Word--the Bible--the only source of Truth that comes from God & can be fully trusted.

Some context for today's devotional

Lois & I met Pastor Kosberg personally while participating in a Shepherd's Canyon Retreat near Wickenberg, AZ, last January. Jerry was serving as chaplain for the retreat, and he drew from this material, along with his vast experience & Godly insights, as he lead us in worship, devotions, prayers, & more. God has truly blessed Jerry Kosberg so that he in turn may be a blessing to His people. God has also blessed the people who staff Shepherd's Canyon & support it by their volunteer service & gifts so that they also in turn may be a blessing to His people. It was a badly needed "respite" for Lois & me, & we highly recommend this ministry.