A Daily Devotional

[Soldier4Christ]

The Breastplate Of Righteousness

“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness” (Ephesians 6:14).

The “stand” which the Christian is expected to make against the “principalities and powers” of wickedness (Ephesians 6:12,13) is in large part made possible by the protection provided by the great breastplate of righteousness—the strong, upper-body armor designed to ward off fatal blows of the enemy to our vital organs. Obviously, the strength of this armor can be none other than the spiritual “power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10). “The LORD my strength . . . My goodness . . . my shield, and He in whom I trust” (Psalm 144:1,2).

This is none other than the gift of righteousness by which we reign in life (Romans 5:17), the new man of holiness (Ephesians 4:24), appropriated “through the faith of Christ” (Philippians 3:9), by which we are “made the righteousness of God in Him” (II Corinthians 5:21). “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift” (II Corinthians 9:15).

Yet, we are told we must take up and put on this armor (Ephesians 6:11–13). As soldiers engaged in active warfare, we are to “put on righteousness as a breastplate” (Isaiah 59:17), flee the desires of youth and “follow after righteousness” (I Timothy 6:11), separating ourselves from the unclean thing and the unequal yoke of sin (II Corinthians 6:14–18), yield our bodies as “instruments (weapons) of righteousness unto God” (Romans 6:13–22), and “awake to righteousness, and sin not” (I Corinthians 15:34). This life style of righteousness is the Christian’s assurance that the Lord will bless and defend us in our battle “as with a shield” (Psalm 5:11,12). With God’s righteousness, we can “go in the strength of the LORD God” (Psalm 71:16) and “in (His) righteousness shall (we) be exalted” (Psalm 89:16).

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The Shoes Of Preparation

“Having your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15).

In the armor of God described in Ephesians 6, the shoes seem somewhat mundane when contrasted to the more glamorous pieces. Yet, these shoes play a vital and indispensable part in the effective warfare of a Christian.

They are defined as “the preparation of the gospel of peace,” with the emphasis on preparation. Much could be said relative to the gospel (I Corinthians 15:1–4), with its focus on the substitutionary death (Isaiah 53:1–9), physical burial (Hebrews 2:14,15), and bodily resurrection (Acts 2:29–36) of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible identifies the creation account as part of the gospel’s message (Revelation 14:6,7), as well as the promise of the eternal Kingdom (Revelation 11:15–18). And no gospel message would be clear without a presentation of the nature of sin and its awful consequences for the unbeliever (Romans 3:10–23; II Thessalonians 1:7–9), nor without an understanding of the anointed, incarnate Son of God (Isaiah 9:6; Acts 4:12).

The receiving of all of that data requires preparation. Peter says that we must be always ready to “give an answer (apologia) to every man” (I Peter 3:15). Paul noted that he was set “for the defense of the gospel” (Philippians 1:17), and that we were to “know how (we) ought to answer every man” (Colossians 4:6), and to participate with him in the “confirmation of the gospel” (Philippians 1:7). This great work cannot be carried out by the “wisdom of words” (I Corinthians 1:17,18), or in any way be misunderstood as “another gospel” (Galatians 1:6–9) or other way (John 10:1–11). Our feet must be shod with such solid preparation that we will not suffer injury when our feet are dashed against a stone (Psalm 91:12), and so that we can “run, and not be weary; and . . . walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

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The Shield Of Faith

“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (Ephesians 6:16).

More than any of the elements of the defensive pieces of God’s armor for the Christian, this “shield of faith” is so important that it is said to be “above all.” Perhaps this is because it is to be used to “quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” These flaming arrows were designed to create fear in the heart of the soldier and to set fires within the camp, thus driving the soldiers away from their ranks and into the unprotected open. It worked, too, unless the shield was used.

Usually, the enemy would fire great volleys or salvos of arrows, thousands at a time, only seconds apart. Both the sights and sounds of the effects were terrifying. The sky was ablaze and the air alive with the hiss and sizzle of these awesome missiles. And, interestingly enough, the most effective defense against this barrage was for all soldiers to form ranks together and raise their individual shields, joining themselves side to side, end to end, to form a “roof” (shield) over themselves and the camp. When the arrows fell (they were shot from a distance and at a high angle), they would clatter harmlessly on the firm “roof.” But let one soldier drop his shield, or open a gap between his shield and those next to it until the fire storm was over (they sometimes went on for hours), a “fiery dart” would get through, setting fire to the clothing, equipment, or ground cover under the “roof,” which would quickly spread and destroy the “unity of the faith” (Ephesians 4:13), scattering the soldiers and giving an advantage, and perhaps a victory, to the enemy.

These “fiery darts” are so effective that they can be disguised as “ministers of righteousness” (II Corinthians 11:15). But Satan flees if we “resist steadfast in the faith” (I Peter 5:9), above all, taking the shield of faith.

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Purified Seven Times


"The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever" (Psalm 12:6-7).

The preservation of the divinely given words of Scripture is incomparably superior to that of all other ancient writings. God has not allowed any of His words to "pass away," for Jesus said: "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away" (Matthew 24:35). They are, in fact, "For ever . . . settled in heaven" (Psalm 119:89).

Although all the original "autographs" of Moses, Paul, and the other human writers have long vanished from the earth (perhaps they have even been translated to heaven, with the ark of the covenant -- note Revelation 11:19), God saw to it that dedicated Hebrew scribes and Christian scholars meticulously copied and recopied the writings through the centuries, so that we still have God's Word to guide us today. Although there are variant readings in different manuscripts, the original words are there somewhere. Very few real questions remain about any of these, so we have the original Greek and Hebrew words to a high degree of accuracy.

Furthermore, the fires of: (1) anti-Christian persecution; (2) caviling humanistic philosophies; (3) literary criticism; (4) scientific skepticism; (5) pagan pantheism; (6) cultic distortions; and (7) apathetic indifference, have again and again sought to destroy God's Word, but all have failed. Not only is it the best seller of all time, but also translated into more languages than any other writings.

No matter what forces are directed against it, it always emerges brighter and surer than ever! Even this present generation will fail in all modern attempts to defeat the Holy Scriptures, for God will "preserve them from this generation for ever."

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The Helmet Of Salvation

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).

In the armor of the Christian soldier, none is as indispensable as the “helmet of salvation” (6:17). Many soldiers have fought on after grievous and ultimately fatal wounds to their bodies. But a blow to the head (the mind) renders one either insensible, unconscious, or dead.

King David often described salvation in terms of military protection, as he did in his great song of praise written to commemorate the defeat of Saul (II Samuel 22). It is a horn (mountain peak) from which to gain advantage over the enemy (v.3), and a shield (protective line of troops) behind which we are safe (v.36). It is also a rock (natural fortress) from which one can safely attack (v.47) and a tower, a place so safe that it inspires boasting (v.51).

Not only does this “helmet” protect us from the most damaging blows of the enemy, but it inspires us and emboldens us with confidence to take part in the battle. No soldier would ever fight without his helmet.

Yet many religious leaders today encourage us to put on a “helmet” of “works of righteousness which we have done” (Titus 3:5), or to protect our minds with philosophy and the “tradition (teaching) of men,” or the “rudiments (logical systems) of the world” (Colossians 2:, rather than to place our faith in the risen Christ by embracing the grace of God’s salvation. We become “wise unto salvation” through a study of the Scriptures (II Timothy 3:15) and thereby become able to “work out (our) own salvation” (Philippians 2:12) as the gospel, which is the “power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16), makes it possible for God to work in us “both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

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The Sword Of The Spirit

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).

In the battle which we are expected to wage against the principalities and the powers of this world as instructed in the famous charge in Ephesians 6, only one attack weapon is given to us. It is here identified as “the Word of God.” This great Sword, which is “quick, and powerful” (Hebrews 4:12), is to be that by which we live (Luke 4:4), speak (Acts 4:31), preach (II Timothy 4:2), teach and glorify (Acts 13:48).

This weapon of our warfare (II Corinthians 10:4,5) is not carnal (physical), but it is mighty (dunamis: capable, able) even with enough power to demolish the castles of the enemy and his most well-thought-out strategies (imaginations), as well as every high (sophisticated, important, prestigious) person, place, or thing that would (dare) exalt itself “against the knowledge of God.” This weapon is so sharp (like a two-edged blade—Revelation 1:16) that it penetrates “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). In fact, the Word of God is capable of “bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (II Corinthians 10:5).

Praise God! With such a weapon we can’t lose, unless we keep it in the scabbard. It is worth noting that the Greek term used here for “word” is the term “rema,” used specifically of the spoken word. In our “warfare,” in which we must stand against the forces of evil, our weapon is the spoken Word of God. The great truths of God do no good sheathed between the covers of our Bibles. “Faith,” which is the channel through which God operates in the lives of men, “cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word (rema) of God” (Romans 10:17). As Christians, we need to take out our swords, open our mouths, and preach the Word!

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Resurrection In The Old Testament

“Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead” (Isaiah 26:19).

Some have argued that the doctrine of a bodily resurrection was unknown to the Israelites of the Old Testament. In fact, this denial was a cardinal doctrine of the sect of the Sadducees at the time of Christ (Matthew 22:23).

Our text, however, makes it clear that this promise has always been known to the people of God. Long before Isaiah’s time, Job had said: “I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And . . . in my flesh shall I see God” (Job 19:25,26). After the time of Isaiah, the promise was still known. “Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2). Such promises were not referring to some vague “immortality of the soul,” as taught in pagan religions, but to resurrection of the body!

First, however, the Creator must become man, die for the sins of the world, and defeat death by His own bodily resurrection. In our text, in fact, Christ is saying that Old Testament believers would be raised “together with my dead body.” This was literally fulfilled when “the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many” (Matthew 27:52,53). Then, when Jesus first ascended to heaven (John 20:17), He led those who had been in “captivity” in the grave with Him into heaven (Ephesians 4:. All who have trusted Christ in the Christian era will likewise be raised from the dead when He comes again. He has defeated death and has promised, “because I live, ye shall live also” (John 14:19).

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He Shall Never Be Moved

“LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?” (Psalm 15:1).

The first verse of the majestic 15th Psalm poses the question, “Who is worthy to be a guest of God?” The following verses provide us with a lofty list of actions and attributes which, if followed to perfection, would make one worthy.

First, we see that our personal character must be in harmony with God’s character. “He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth” (v.2).

Next, our personal lives and relationships to others must be in order. We must not slander or do evil to others (v.3). Furthermore, we must hate evil while honoring and valuing good, and be workers of good. Our promises must be kept, even if it means personal loss (v.4). In financial matters, we must not lend money at high interest, nor take advantage of the poor (v.5).

Obviously, no human being can meet these qualifications. But all is not lost. “By grace are ye saved through faith . . . not of works” (Ephesians 2:8,9). Salvation does not depend on our keeping the list, for Christ kept the list, and God now sees us as if we had completely kept the list, as well.

This doctrine does not imply that the Bible condones sin. We are “created in Christ Jesus unto good works” (Ephesians 2:10). He died to make His character available to us through grace. God is holy, and He demands holiness from His children. Through His grace, He makes us holy and empowers us to live in a holy manner. “Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid” (Romans 6:1,2).

These qualities and actions are not natural to man; they can only come from God. But since He has made such a life-style possible and gives us the power to adhere to it, He expects us to obey and keep the list. And then He promises, “He that doeth these things shall never be moved” (Psalm 15:5).

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The Good Seed

“Now the parable is this: The seed is the Word of God” (Luke 8:11).

The Word of God is pictured by many beautiful symbols in the Scriptures, and perhaps one of the most meaningful is that of the seed, sown in the field of the world by the great Sower, the Lord Jesus Christ. The first reference to seed sowing in the Bible is in the story of Isaac, who “sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the L SIZE="-1">ORD blessed him” (Genesis 26:12).

Now Isaac himself was the “seed” of God’s promise to Abraham, and he was a precursive fulfillment of the ultimate promised “seed, which is Christ” (Galatians 3:16). Isaac’s sowing of literal seed in the land of the Philistines is thus a type of Christ’s sowing of spiritual seed throughout the world. As Isaac’s sowing brought forth a hundredfold, so the beautiful parable of the sower indicates that at least some of the seed “fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold” (Luke 8:.

Although not all seed will come to fruition, it must be sown throughout the world. Some of the seed will bear fruit, for God has said: “. . . that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my Word be . . . it shall not return unto me void” (Isaiah 55:10,11). “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. . . .” (I Peter 1:23).

The first of Christ’s parables is this parable of the sower. The second, complementing the first, indicates that the seed is not only God’s Word but also God’s children—those regenerated through the Word. “He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man: The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom” (Matthew 13:37,38). Thus we also become sowers of the Word, witnessing to the world and bearing good fruit, in His name.

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The Lord And King Cyrus

“That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid” (Isaiah 44:28).

This is a remarkable prophecy, one of the main stumbling blocks of liberals, who use it as an excuse for their completely wrong notion of a “second Isaiah.” Long before Jerusalem was invaded and its temple destroyed by the armies of Babylon, Isaiah was already prophesying its rebuilding!

Furthermore, the great Persian emperor, Cyrus, whose nation would eventually conquer Babylon, was here named by God about 150 years before he was born and 175 years before he would fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy by giving Ezra authority to rebuild the temple (Ezra 1:1,2).

Since liberal scholars do not want to believe in miracles and fulfilled prophecy, they have decided that this prophecy could not have been written by the original Isaiah, but by some later writer living after Cyrus. The truth is, however, that God controls the future and can reveal it if He chooses, using this very fact as proof that He will keep His other promises. “Thus saith the LORD to His anointed, to Cyrus, . . . I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou has not known me” (Isaiah 45:1,4).

God had also named King Josiah before he was born (I Kings 13:2; II Kings 23:15,16), with the specific prophecy concerning him waiting to be fulfilled for over 300 years after it was first spoken.

It may take a long time, but God will surely do all He has said. “I am God, and there is none like me. Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure” (Isaiah 46:9,10).

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The Light Of The Word

“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105).

As the sun provides physical light for the world, so Jesus Christ is spiritually “the light of the world” (John 8:12). However, we clearly can see His light only through the light holder, the lamp, as it were, of His written Word. The Word, therefore, is a lamp and, since it contains and reveals the light, is also a light in its own right. Without the Holy Scriptures, this world would lie in the deepest darkness, but “the entrance of Thy Words giveth light” (Psalm 119:130).

The Lord Jesus Christ is the living Word, and “without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (John 1:3–5). Although He “was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (John 1:9), when He, Himself, came into the world, those who were made by Him refused to receive Him. “Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19).

Just so, although the written Word has come into the world, the world does not receive it, either. The lamp and the light of the written Word have been in the world, in complete and final form, for 1,900 years, but men still reject and ridicule it, and the world still lies in darkness. Nevertheless, for those who receive it, there is wonderful light. “Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light” (John 12:35,36).

God’s Word always brings light. His first spoken Word was: “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3), and wherever He speaks, God sees the light, and it is good!

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A Matter Of Unity

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Psalm 133:1).

There are only five places in Scripture where we find the word “unity,” or “unite.” We would all agree that believers must dwell together in unity. What great problems arise when there is disunity in the Body of Christ. The first type of unity found in the Bible is negative unity. Jacob prayed in Genesis 49:6, “O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united.” Godly Jacob did not wish to be united with the sins of Simeon and Levi (vs.5–7). Unity begins in the heart of the individual believer. David prayed in Psalm 86:11, “unite my heart to fear Thy name.” This is eternal unity. It is a unity of the believer’s heart with the Lord’s heart. David prayed that he would be one with the Lord in every goal and purpose, with nothing coming between him and the Lord. Unity continues when the believer, who is one with the Lord, meets together with others in the church whose hearts are also one with the Lord, as in our text. This produces external unity. When God’s people are internally and externally united with the Lord and one another, then they will experience mature unity. “Till we all come in the unity of the faith . . . unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ . . . grow(ing) up into him in all things” (Ephesians 4:13,15). Christians will grow and mature where unity is found. Internal, external, and mature unity will produce peaceful unity. “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). This is the direct result of the Spirit’s working. Endeavor means to exert one’s self, to put forth an effort. Believers do not automatically slip into unity. They must make a concentrated effort.

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O My Soul

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance” (Psalm 42:5).

This expression (“O my soul”) is not used here by the psalmist as a trite exclamation, but as a plea of heart-searching introspection, concerned over the dark depression that was about to settle over him because of the oppressions of his enemies (Psalm 43:2). The question in our text is asked three times by him in these two short psalms (Psalm 42:5,11; 43:5), and each time he answers himself: “Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him.”

Yet God continued to withhold His answer. His enemies were taunting him about it (Psalm 42:3,10), and the psalmist, in spite of himself, found himself crying out “Why?” no less than ten times. Nevertheless his faith in God never failed, and it thus becomes a great testimony to us today, for he asked his “why” questions in submission to God’s will. When we are tempted to “go . . . mourning because of the oppression of the enemy” (42:9; 43:2), and still God seems to have “forgotten,” then is the very time we must continue to affirm: “I shall yet praise Him!” He is “the God of my life,” and “in the night His song shall be with me” (42:.

It may not be God’s will to set us free from the “noise of Thy waterspouts” (42:7) or “the deceitful and unjust man” (43:1), but His light and truth will still lead, and we can yet praise Him, despite the circumstances.

In our text, the psalmist praises God for “the help of His countenance.” In the verses which echo this verse (42:11; 43:5), his testimony is slightly—yet significantly—changed. “I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance.” Even in a dark night of “O my soul,” I can see Him by faith, and my countenance is full of joy.

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Learning By Example

“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them” (II Timothy 3:14).

When Paul wrote these words to Timothy, they were in the midst of his foreboding prophecy of coming apostasy and persecution. Furthermore, he knew that he, himself, would soon be executed, and that these might well be his final teachings to his young disciple and to others through him. It is remarkable that in such a setting the Spirit of God impelled him to use the example of his own life as the best and most-fitting climax to his great ministry. “Just keep on believing and doing what I have been teaching you—that which you have seen put into practice in your own life.” These teachings and practices had just been recounted in verses 10–11, and what a remarkable summary they provide of a genuine Christian life! Doctrine—my teachings, sound and true to God’s Word; Manner of life—my Christ-like behavior and habits; Purpose—my sole aim, to honor God and do His will; Faith—my faithfulness to His Word and its demands; Longsuffering—my patient forbearance; Charity—my showing true Christian love; Patience—my cheerful endurance in hard times; Persecutions—the unjust opposition heaped upon me; Afflictions—sufferings and tortures which I endured.

The Apostle Paul had maintained this strong and consistent Christian testimony for over 30 years following his conversion, and could in all good conscience and true humility cite his own example as a true teaching aid for others to study and follow.

May Paul’s example be ours, and may our lives likewise become true examples of Christianity for any who are watching us today.

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The Sword

“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34).

The Christian life is a life of war, and the Christian soldier must be a skilled swordsman if he is to survive and win. In our text, Jesus taught that a peaceful life would not be the Christian’s lot, but a life of swordsmanship instead.

The first “sword” mentioned in Scripture was not a sword of metal, but a “flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life” (Genesis 3:24). Likewise, the final sword mentioned is “the sword of Him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of His mouth” (Revelation 19:21), and this is the fiery sword with which the coming “man of sin” (II Thessalonians 2:3) will be defeated “whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming” (v.. “He shall smite the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips shall He slay the wicked” (Isaiah 11:4).

The mighty “Word of the LORD” by which “were the heavens made” (Psalm 33:6) is still a flaming sword, turning every way, for “out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword” (Revelation 1:16), as John saw Him in His present glory.

Furthermore, we can wield this same sword by His Spirit, for “the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword . . . a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

The Christian armor, as outlined in Ephesians 6:13–17, is all defensive armor, with the one exception of the prayerful use of “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (v.17). In this wonderful text, the spoken “Word of God” is in view—the sword applied, on either edge, turning every way, probing exactly when and where needed in each encounter of every battle of the Christian warfare.