Craig Clouston

 Suit Up for Battle

March 15

Therefore put on the full armor of God.

Ephesians 6:13

Butch pulled the draw straps tighter on his shoulder pads, and then relaced

his cleats. He’d gotten shoved around a little in the first half. It wasn’t going to

happen again if he could help it.

Butch was a lineman in the NFL. His job? Engage the enemy! Butch was

a warrior; he loved the battle! Experience had taught him that his equipment

was crucial to his ability to stand and fight. It had to fit perfectly to allow him

movement, yet protect him from those who would try to do him harm. The

opposing team intended to force their will on Butch and his teammates. This

was a contest of strength and will.

This was also the playoffs! You didn’t get here by giving your second best.

If you were here, you’d given your all—devotion and hard work, continually

doing the right thing over and over and over again, preparing for the battle.

This included never taking the field without the proper equipment.

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We have a very real enemy. He means to take us out of the fighting. We are in a

battle for souls, and we must engage the enemy if we are to help ourselves and

help save those who are perishing. The victory has been secured, yet there are

those who would be eternally imprisoned if we fail to help liberate them. We

have been asked to stand and fight. And just as Butch, we must be prepared

for each encounter.

Paul tells us to “put on the full armor of God—and pray in the Spirit.”

With preparation and guidance from God, we suit up for battle. To go into

combat unprepared, without our armor or weapons, is to invite premature

death. God has armor for each individual warrior. But it will do no good if it’s

hanging in heaven’s locker room.

Prayer

“Today, I put on Your armor, Lord—the belt of truth; the

breastplate of righteousness; the shoes of the readiness

of the gospel of peace; the helmet of salvation. I take

up the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit, the

Word of God! And I wield these weapons against

the evil one. In Your Power and Name, amen.”