THE POWER OF GOD'S ARMOR

Sanballat (meaning the god—Sin—has given life) was an enemy of the Jews and a very influential Samaritan. He unsuccessfully tried to stop Nehemiah (a Jew and high official in the Persian court) from rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem that had been torn down by the Babylonians.

Sanballat ridiculed the Jews and in the presence of allies and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?” (Nehemiah 4:1-2 NIV).

Broken walls indicated a defeated people, so Nehemiah responded by calling men to volunteer in rebuilding the wall which would be a message to their enemies that God was blessing His people. The workers who were rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem presents the perfect imagery of God’s call to all Christians to daily put on the whole armor of God that creates an encircling embankment that prevents the enemy’s access.

The workers were instructed to be vigilant and ready for any attack. We are told to put on the shoes with the readiness of the gospel of peace. The word readiness implies constant vigilance and understanding defense and offense for stability in a battle. A victorious soldier had to be prepared for battle, so he would study the enemy’s strategies. When we study God’s Word, we learn Satan’s strategies so that we can be vigilant and prepared for any spiritual battle.

Part of being protected when engaging the enemy is to have our shield of faith that guards us from the enemy’s assaults in the same way a shield protected a Roman soldier during battle. We trust in God's character to protect us from the lies of the evil one who wants to create doubt, fear, anxiety, and discouragement. That is why we must also have the breastplate of righteousness.

The breastplate assures us of our right standing with Christ so that we can position ourselves firmly in the truth of God’s Word, no matter the circumstances (Ephesians 6:16; 1 John 5:1). And that breastplate of righteousness is to be securely fastened to the belt of truth (2 Timothy 1:12).

When men prepared for battle or for work, they pulled their long tunic between their loins and tucked it into their belt, which gave their legs freedom of movement. This was called “girding up your loins.”

The Gospel uses “girding up your loins,” as a daily spiritual preparation for battle. “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, [we] put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, [we] may be able to stand [our] ground, work hard, and serve the kingdom of God” (Ephesains 6:12-13).  

Why was the belt so important? Without the belt they could not gird their loins. The Word instructs us to first buckle on the belt of truth because God is all truth, which is the solid foundation of God’s Word. For Jesus, who is the Word said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). This is critical, because without truth, we are susceptible to Satan’s lies and destruction. Therefore, truth is paramount to the foundation of faith (John 15:26). Without the belt of truth that secures God’s Word, credibility is gone, thus the other parts of the armor become invalidated.

A soldier’s sword was attached to his belt for a reason (Hebrews 4:12). The Sword of the Spirit is a metaphor for God’s Word and cannot be separated from truth. Nehemiah’s laborers were instructed to always carry their weapons, even when getting water. 

We, as laborers for Christ are called to daily carry His Word, a powerful weapon that we are to wield against the lies and distortions of the enemy who daily seeks whom he may destroy. Nehemiah’s workers had faith that God would protect them, if they did their part in being ready for any battle. Likewise, when Satan attacks us with “fiery darts” we are to take hold of the sword of the Spirit (God’s Word), speak His Word and walk in faith.

Nehemiah prayed and God frustrated the plans of Sanballat. When we speak God’s Word He frustrates the plans of the enemy (Nehemiah 4). Jesus said, “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63). Because Jesus is the Word, when we speak His Word, we have His power and authority that is behind His Word. “The Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12 KJV).

Satan is always testing and tempting. Jesus knew Satan’s thoughts and intentions when he came to take advantage of Jesus’ vulnerability after having fasted for 40 days and 40 nights in the desert. Thus, Satan tried to tempt Jesus three times. First with the lust of the flesh, then with the lust of the eyes, and finally with the pride of life.

Those three temptations were the same that had been presented to Eve, which she had succumbed to and failed to reject. However, unlike Eve, Jesus did not have a discussion with Satan. He simply spoke the Word and after Satan’s third failure in tempting Jesus, he left Him. Because of Jesus’ Word He provided the perfect example of the power and effectiveness of God’s Word.

The helmet was worn to protect the head from damage during a battle. The Helmet of Salvation is a metaphor that refers to the protection of our mind from sinful thoughts, lies, doubts, and questions about what is true. Today’s big lie challenges the inerrancy of God’s Word.

Nehemiah knew what was true, so he trusted God to make a way to complete the wall that would surround and protect Jerusalem. When we put on the full armor of God, we are surrounded by God’s spiritual wall of protection.

PRAYER: FATHER, each day, help me to be vigilant in putting on the full armor of God and reading and memorizing your Word. Jesus said, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63 NKJV). God, Your Word is eternal and is life to my spirit, so help me understand Your Word as I read it each day. And I ask for an extra measure of boldness and faith to speak Your Word into situations, into lives, and into my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.