Stand Firm

Ephesians 6:14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

I am a fan of Star Trek (a trekkie). I enjoyed the TV series, the movies through all the perturbations of characters, versions of Star Trek, etc. My favorite character is Scotty. He was always figuring out how to fix broken equipment and telling the captain the shields were buckling or the "bearin's couldn't take any more of this". But, he was only human and did not always succeed.

When we look at our scriptural reference, we are drawn to the use of the breastplate of righteousness. The breastplate covered the torso and abdomen. It protected the vital organs from injury. It was a key piece of armor in the overall armor package. Linking the breast plate to righteousness tells us our armor is linked to Christ. It was prophesied of Christ (Isa 11:5) that righteousness should be the belt of his waist and faithfulness the belt of his loins. We are made righteous through Christ. Not by our own efforts. And we simply must keep Jesus as our armor. For without Christ, our armor has a fatal flaw. Sin can and will pierce our hearts and leave us dead on the battlefield should we try on our own to resist. Keep Jesus in your life and surround yourself with his righteousness.

PRAYER: Almighty God, You gave us Your only Son. He died so that we might live. He died so that the righteousness lost long ago would be regained. Without Jesus, our armor is incomplete and ineffective. Help us O God. Send Your Spirit. Fill our hearts in full measure. Help us to stay strong with the armor of righteousness that is Your Son. We ask this in the name or our risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen