1-2-3 The devil’s after me
4-5-6 he’s always throwing sticks
7-8-9 he misses every time
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Amen.
This is an old children’s song. If Paul would’ve heard these words from the lips of anyone in the first century, he would have interrupted them long before they got to the first syllable of “Hallelujah.”
In Ephesians 6:10-17, we learn that it’s absolutely true, “The devil’s after me.” But, 4-5-6, he’s throwing a lot more than sticks. Paul says we’re in a “struggle.” In Greek, this word carries the imagery of someone trying to choke someone else to death. 7-8-9, he doesn’t miss very often at all… which is why we must suit up the fight.
If we put on the full armor of God, then we can stand. After we’ve done everything, we will stand. As Jesus says, we will advance against the gates of hell (Matthew 16:18).
Let us put the belt of truth around our waists-by having an absolute commitment to telling the truth, and nothing but the truth.
Let us wear the breastplate of righteousness-by doing the right thing, even when we don’t feel like it… even when it doesn’t look like it will benefit us.
Let us fit our feet with the readiness of the Gospel of peace-by forgiving everyone who wrongs us, and by finding our full-satisfaction in Christ.
Let us wear the helmet of salvation-by knowing that we are saved by grace, through faith, even when we don’t “feel” God.
Let us take up the shield of faith-never doubting the goodness of God… believing that God is good, all the time.
Without the shield, all other pieces of armor are useless against the flaming arrows of the evil one. It was doubting the goodness of God that led Adam & Eve to take life into their own hands, thinking God was withholding pleasure from them, thinking God didn’t have their best interests in mind.
The day of evil is here. Let us then suit up for battle, with the full armor of God!
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