This word is submitted by Heidi Wilson (jiloa@penn.com)

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The Armor

About a month ago I was reading in Ephesians about the armor we put on, and a "light bulb" went on.

Ephesians 6:13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Sprit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

The Lord began to speak to me about this passage. He showed me that all of the armor is designed to cover the front of a person. Our backs don't have heavy armor protecting them because He wants that job of protecting our backs. He has given us armor and weapons for the battle, but he wants to be in it with us. He also said that we cannot turn and run in the middle of the battle. We must "stand" at least. Even if we are not moving forward, we must not turn around. Remain facing the battle. He himself is at our rear, guarding us. Isaiah 58:8 says "Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard." Isaiah 52:11 also shows that the Lord is the rear guard for his people.

I was shown that many have turned in the battle and been struck by a flaming dart of the enemy. Either they didn't have their armor on, or they turned out of weariness or fear and exposed their back. We must not turn and run until the Lord has told us to do so. Conversely we must not remain after God has instructed us to retreat. Both extremes lead to injury. We need to allow him to be our cover. Our rear guard. Our protection from the enemy.

The final part of this was, while we face the battle, and God is our rear guard, what or whom do we focus on. If we are facing the battle aren't we looking at it and at circumstances, etc...?? NO! We are instructed to keep our eyes on Jesus. Hebrews 12:12 says..."looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. " Wow. What a picture. Jesus before us, God behind us, the Holy Spirit at work in us. Truly You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

So I urge you to remain strong and firm in the faith.

Ephesians 6:10-12 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 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.

To those of you who are in the battle:

I hear God saying that he has called you. You are chosen. You are beloved. You are precious to him. Rely on him and HIS strength. Allow him to work through you and in you. Submit to His power and love and authority in your life. You can trust him completely for he will not fail, and he will not abandon you. He is faithful and will NEVER leave you or forsake you. He IS your rear guard. He will not allow you to be put to shame, for when you grow too weary to fight the battle any longer simply remaining standing, and he will fight the battle for you. Abide in him and in his word. Rest in his arms. Allow his Holy Spirit to move in your life and lead you into the battles that he has chosen for you and prepared you for. Allow his gentle leading to move you into the works that he has prepared in advance for you to do. Allow his mighty power to give you the victory in your life that you have cried out to him for. He will deliver you. He will vindicate you. He will stand with you and uphold you by his right hand. Sometimes our greatest battles are won by simply standing with the Lord.