How are you dressed today?
Did you dress in your armor today?
While studying for our Bible study this week, we looked at the covenant between Jonathan and David. (I Samuel 18 & 19.) In this passage, we see Jonathan give his robe, his sword, his bow and his belt to David. This signifies in covenant that they would protect one another. The robe is a picture of Jonathan’s identity, his kingly line. They were exchanging identities. David the shepherd boy had already been anointed to be King of Israel by Samuel. Jonathan was the son of the King and Jonathan recognized David as God’s anointed King of Israel. Jonathan took on David humility and made himself available to serve David.
Last week we looked at how we are to put on Christ when we become believers.
We take on His character. We begin taking off our filthy robes,(of flesh) and becoming more and more into the image of Christ.
This week, I want us to look at another kind of dress that is spoken of the Ephesians 6:10-20.
The first weapon given in the list of armor articles is the belt of truth. “Stand firm, therefore, having girded your loins with truth,…” Ephesians 6:14
We learned that the belt given to David was a picture of strength. Jonathan’s strength came from who he was. His father was the King! There was a certain strength that came from being royalty.
Our strength comes from our father God and the King of Kings, Jesus. Nehemiah recognized this. “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” When we come to Jesus and commit ourselves fully, sincerely to Him, we are given “joy unspeakable and full of glory.” We are given Christ identity. We are now enabled to stand firm against all enemies.
The belt that was used in the armor was for protection. It essentially held everything together. All the weapons were held in place. The belt of Truth holds all things together. Colossians 1:10-11 “so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing the the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience,”
Joy of the Lord is our strength. We have “dynamus” strength. “Dynamus” the Hebrew word used for the kind of strength we are given. Dynamite power “dynamus” meaning explosive, great power.
The belt of truth is holding our strength by standing in the truth of the gospel.
Now for the best part. The Roman belt were wide and extended around the back of the soldier. To “gird up the loins” was to gather their long toga between the legs and pull them up and secure them with the belt so they could fight and run. The belt would hold firmly the lower back and the 5 lower vertabra. It would hold them straight up in the proper position for standing and fighting.
Our belt of truth holds us upright, secure on the promise that the Lord’s strength will empower us to stand against the enemy. “Our struggle is not with flesh and blood against rules, against the powers, against the world forces of darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly place. We are to stand on the truth of the gospel.” Ephesians 6:12 Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.
Dress with your armor today. Tomorrow we may be given white linen for the wedding.
Fight the good fight.
Having done all STAND IN THE LORD’S STRENGTH
Strength Jonathan David and Melissa Helser
