You have armed me with strength for the battle.
~Psalm 18:39 NLT
When the battles come, some have nothing to do with picking up a weapon.
Military blood runs through my family’s veins. My father did a stint in the National Guard and then the Army, serving overseas in the Formosa Crisis. My father-in-law retired from the Army, spending time in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. A brother-in-law served in the Air Force, and a nephew did time in Iraq. Even both of my children did short stints.
When I entered my teenage years, the Vietnam War was nearing an end—at least America’s involvement in it. The military draft was still in force, and I feared I would end up in a war that seemed to have no end or purpose. But it did end—along with the draft.
Though I’ve never served in the military, I admire those who have and do. And although I’ve never fought in a military battle, I’ve fought several other battles: parenting skills, decisions, aging-parent challenges, employment, moving, depression, family breakup, and other relationships.
The psalmist was familiar with military battles and other battles that didn’t require a weapon. Regardless of what type of battle he fought, God armed him with the necessary means to fight it.
God gives all the armor we need to fight battles with the enemy of our souls—and the battles we sometimes fight with God. He gives us the helmet of salvation. Thoughts determine actions. We can think about what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. We have a breastplate of righteousness when we place our faith in Jesus Christ. Faith is our shield, and we take the gospel of peace wherever we go. Our clothes are girded with the belt of truth—which determines everything we say and do. And we have God’s Word to guide every decision we make and action we take.
When the battles come, victory is inevitable if we adorn ourselves with the full armor of God.
Don’t let the battles of life defeat you. Claim the victory that can be yours.
–Photo by Benjamin Voros on Unsplash
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