June 24th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS 

PUT ON GOD’S ARMOR

Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”  

“Poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide (K29) – branded Kevlar – was invented by the Polish-American chemist Stephanie Kwolek while working for DuPont, in anticipation of a gasoline shortage. She and her research group were searching for a new lightweight strong fiber to use for lightweight, but strong, tires. . . In 1971, Lester Shubin, who was then the Director of Science and Technology for the National Institute for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, suggested using Kevlar to replace nylon in bullet-proof vests.” (Wikipedia) Today, Kevlar is the gold standard material found in bullet proof vests worn by soldiers and law enforcement personnel.   

Today’s devotional verse urges you to put on spiritual armor to protect you, not from bullets and knives but from the temptations of Satan and his wicked allies. You need this protection because these evil ones seek to lead you into all kinds of sin and evil in order to bring about your spiritual death. Spiritually dead means you are separated from God and will not go to heaven when you physically die. 

As those who spend each day with the constant threat of someone shooting bullets at them, those in the military or law enforcement need bullet proof vests to cover their most critical internal organs, so you who are under daily threat of evil ones leading you into misbelief, spiritual despair, and vices of all kinds to separate you from Almighty God need armor to protect your heart and soul. God provides that armor for you.   

Ephesians 6:14-17 is a list of the armor God’s provides: “belt of truth,” “breastplate of righteousness,” “gospel of peace,” “shield of faith,” “helmet of salvation,” and “sword of the Spirit.”   

As Kevlar protects the life of the members of the military from deadly, lethal bullets so God’s armor protects you from the attacks of Satan and his wicked allies. A bullet proof vests only protects when worn. God’s armor only does its job when you put it on.   

Prayer: Lord, thank you for Your armor that protects me during my battles with the forces of evil. Grant me that protection every day for Jesus’ sake. In His holy name. Amen. 

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;  No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.  Refrain:  I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;  Every hour I need Thee;  Oh, bless me now, my Savior,  I come to Thee.  I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;  Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh.  I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;  Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.  I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;  And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.  I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;  Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.  (Annie S. Hawks, 1872. Public domain)