The first few years we went to Camp Eagle, the leader of the Camp told us mountain lions roamed through the river canyon and grounds of the camp. In case the students thought he was just trying to scare them, he pointed to a stuffed mountain lion in the office area. We were not afraid of the lion which had been prepared by the taxidermist. But the thought of a real one that size caught our undivided attention.
In our world lives a roaring lion who would love to devour us. Even people in Hollywood believe in him. One actor said recently, “When you are trying to do something good, the devil will come after you.” He sounded sincere. The Apostle Paul knew he was in a battle. Chained to a Roman guard, he noted the soldier’s armor and weapons. Then he compared them to our spiritual armor in Christ.
I first memorized these verses out at Camp Eagle, jogging in the morning, looking out for mountain lions. No less than three times Paul mentions the devil and the forces of evil arrayed against God’s people in the church at Ephesus. To survive against the daily spiritual onslaught, we need the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, cleats ready to deliver the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.
The armor of the Lord protects all of our vulnerabilities to evil. But Paul doesn’t stop there. He points to the offensive weapon of prayer. Christianity is not trying to hold its own but to claim new territory. We are in life to win lives to Christ. How will we do it? We pray for all the Lord’s people alertly. There is a lion in these parts. Then we pray for the preachers that God will make us fearless as we proclaim good news. Twice, Paul a prisoner in Rome says, “Pray that I will be fearless.” This must be important. Would you pray this for the pastors in our church, in our city, in our country, in our world? Would you pray it for me? Thank you!
