If any of you were born in the faith, you will remember learning about the armor of God since you were a child. Throughout Sunday school we learned of the importance of each piece of this armor and how it should be a part of our everyday lives. These important verses read, “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. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:13-17) Each piece of this armor is important in our walk with Christ, but today we will focus our attention upon the breastplate. The righteousness of God flows through the breastplate and into our lives. This way we can be ministers of God and also be worthy to be called His servant also.
The breastplate that Paul mentions is symbolic to the breastplate that the high priest wore when he administered in the tabernacle. This breastplate contained twelve stones that signified the birthstones of the twelve sons of Jacob or Israel. Speaking of who created it, it is written, “and he made the breastplate of cunning work, like the work of the ephod; of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen. It was foursquare; they made the breastplate double: a span was the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof, being doubled. And they set in it four rows of stones: the first row was a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this was the first row. And the second row, an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. And the third row, a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. And the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper: they were inclosed in ouches of gold in their inclosings.” (Exodus 39:8-13) This breastplate demonstrated God’s righteousness flowing through them as they administered in His sanctuary. We also live in God’s righteousness with his breastplate upon our lives. Amen.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that You will build us up in the whole armor of God. Build up our loins in Your truth. Dress us in the breastplate of righteousness. May our feet be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Give us the shield of faith that we might fight off the fiery darts of the enemy. Place upon our heads the helmet of salvation. A sword is the last thing we need, for it contains the Holy Spirit that dwells within the Bible. With Your armor in our lives, we can withstand every evil thing that comes before us. Nothing we can do on our own will help us, but only if You are the one leading us. Lord, the greatest thing I desire is to be used by You in Your kingdom. There are many other things I could be doing with my time, but it does not hold a candle to what is needed for Your kingdom on earth. Therefore, I submit myself to You this day and forever. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me through Your blood. Shine Your light upon me that I might become a light unto the world, as with my brothers and sisters in the faith. I love You, Lord. I live my life to honor You. Amen.
