This Doesn’t Fit

Is the armor you’re wearing to big, to tight, to old, to rusty just too….Well, it just doesn’t fit?

Armor always brings to my mind, Knights of the Round Table with King Arthur and his mighty men of valor. It makes me think about the tournament of jousting and I think about King Saul and David. I also think about the Huge Armor you see standing in the corners of cold, dark, castles.

When I was about four years old my mom put a dress on me that had been starched and ironed. It was stiff and scratchy and it was a little too tight. I started to squirm and protest… “I don’t want to wear this I can’t breathe and it’s scratching me.” But Mom insisted that I looked so cute and I was going to wear it. Well being the strong-willed child I was, I ripped the dress off…it did not go well with me…Mom saw her little girl as being so cute, but she didn’t realize how much this dress was hurting me. It didn’t fit and I was not going to wear it. I laugh now but then not so much…

This morning in my quiet time this thought came to me… “Lord, this armor just doesn’t fit. It’s too big and too heavy, I can’t wear it!” It reminded me of the shepherd boy David, when Saul said to bring his armor and let David wear it to fight Goliath, the giant. We all know that story.

David wasn’t a solider he was a Shepherd….He wasn’t used to wearing big, heavy, armor or carrying a sword and a shield. His battles were fought wearing sheep skin clothing, carrying a sling, a rod…and a staff…His most powerful weapon was waiting in the presence of the Lord and listening to hear His voice…This was the armor he was used to. He kept a sharp ear out, and keen eyes open, to watch and to see when anything unusual tried to harm his flock. He was alert, prepared and ready for any challenge. He knew the God he loved and served was with Him…whether fighting a giant or trekking through dry desert places, or cold steep mountains, in the lowlands, in a deep, dark, cave…or in the halls of a palace…God was with him.

If your armor is not what you are used to wearing…If someone is trying to put their armor on you…just do as David did…don’t wear it…(although do it gracefully) lol!

The armor, God gives to each of us is not one size fits all…No it is specifically designed for each individual…tailor made, original, and only the one, who it is designed for, can wear it. If I try to wear your armor, I can’t, because yours doesn’t fit me and mine won’t fit you. God made us unique; one of a kind….The armor God designed for us, will only fit the one who wears it.

The armor He designed is strong and powerful it will protect us against the evil that we can’t see and will not be penetrated by anything the devil tries to throw at us. But we must Stand and keep standing, never lie down in the battle. The belt is made from his special material, truth…no lies, or deception, will be able to cut through it…Righteousness will protect your heart…the Good News will keep you steady on your feet, planted and grounded, nothing can knock you down…your shield will be the substance of faith…when the enemy shoots arrows of fire at you, Faith will extinguish them….Your head will be protected with the helmet of salvation, made from the blood of the lamb, and the sword of the Spirit which is the WORD OF GOD (is Jesus)…and last but not least this should always be done before any battle… (Ask) Pray in the Spirit all the time with all kinds of prayers and requests. (With a Humble heart but daring and courageous) With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people!!

This armor fits…because it is designed especially for each individual…put the Armor of God, on, with Him you will not fail…it’s a great fit, not too heavy, or too big, or too tight, it doesn’t scratch us or restrict us, it is comfortable and just the right size…Your armor is the Lord!!!

~M.S. O’Neill October 19, 2017

Ephesians 6:10-18 New International Version (NIV)

The Armor of God

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. 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 Spirit, 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 Lord’s people.