Part of the Armour

This is for Teresa, who said she likes to check out what is on my mantel...

Do you have days where everything that you do seems to go wrong, and although you profess to be a Christian, your actions on that day embarrass the gospel, rather than adorn it?  The apostle Paul has been there too...he knew that Christians were prone to attack from the 'wiles of the devil'.  His advice?

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

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.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."  (Ephesians 6:10-13).

Paul goes on to describe having your loins girt with truth, and putting on the breastplate of righteousness.  Having your feet shod with the gospel, taking the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation.  In other words, warriors are to be ready each day for the battle.

What I want to say here is that part of the armour that we need to put on is that of adequate rest.  It is so simple that it sounds silly, but I am never so prone to discouragement, so quick to anger, so impatient with my family or given to sin as when I am tired and weary. Adequate rest helps me to stand firm on a trying day, along with the things that Paul mentioned.  I believe it is a Godly thing to respect our need for rest, instead of trying to cram so much into each day that fatigue overwhelms us.  If there are not enough hours in the day to get it all done, we are probably doing things that God never called us to do in the first place.  It may be time to reevaluate.

So if you are running on empty and trying to figure out why there is no fruit in your Christian walk, may I suggest that you sleep on it?  Build the structure in your day for adequate rest.  You will be amazed at the difference in your day.  Or, as it is stated in Psalms,

"It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep." (Psalms 127:2)

Sweet Dreams! DLB