04.21.14

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. - Ephesians 6:10-18 NKJV. 

Russian troops seen in action in the Ukraine appear to have been equipped with a new generation of body armor. Their armor is reportedly made of titanium and hard carbide boron ceramics. (Washington Times 04.20.14) The Russians may have missed out on a cheaper body armor option. Rickey Wagoner is a believer in this other armor option. Rickey is a Dayton, Ohio bus driver, and when his bus developed an electrical problem he stopped the bus to investigate. It was then that he was attacked by three men and shot three times. Two of the bullets were stopped by the New Testament that Rickey carried in his shirt pocket. As Police Sgt. Michael Pauley says, “There was obviously some kind of intervention involved in this incident, because he (Rickey) probably should not be here.” Rickey fought back even after he was shot in the hip and it felt like a sledgehammer had hit him in the chest where he was shot twice. He was stabbed in his left arm, but he still managed to take the gun away from his attackers. The attackers then fled. A friend said about the attack that it proved that God was on Rickey’s side. The friend also said, “Rick is a great guy, you couldn't ask for anybody better than Rick. He's a great friend and terrific dad." (Dayton Daily News; New York Times; CBSnews 02.24.14)

Here we see the world’s armor and God’s armor. Rickey Wagoner is an example of how to put on the armor of God. Apparently, Rickey is a believer who puts the Word of God to work in his life by actually doing what God says to do. Another way of saying it is that Rickey lives the Word of God. He has wrapped the truth of God around his life. He has determined in his heart to live a life of righteousness in obedience to his God. He is prepared to share the Gospel of Peace whenever and wherever he can. He carries God’s Word because he is prepared to use it to share the peace of reconciliation that can only come from God. The sword of the Spirit is ready to be used. His faith is so strong because he wears the helmet of salvation and the fiery darts of the enemy were stopped. 

There is a spiritual truth about the “armor of God” that we need to understand and apply to our lives. We can read and read and read God’s Word, and we can pray that the armor of God be upon our lives, and we ought to do that. However, if we never apply God’s Word to our lives by actually doing and living what God says we should do, than all of our reading and praying are of no effect. Have you truly put on the armor of God by applying God’s truths, His Words to your life? If not, there is no better time then now to begin. As the Psalmist says, “I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life (Psalm 119:93).” Let us remember God’s “precepts” by doing them! Let us put on the armor of God by living the Word of God!