(Series Intro)
There are moments when you just can’t ignore the way God lines things up.
About two weeks ago, I set a goal to read one chapter a day from a list of books I’d been meaning to get through. I started with John Eldredge’s Wild at Heart. Seven straight days – a full chapter each evening after work and family time. I was crushing it.
Right until that eighth day (Saturday), when life got a little too full and something had to give. Sorry, John. Maybe tomorrow.
The next morning, I sat in church at The Church of Eleven22, listening to Pastor Joby Martin preach on Ephesians 6 – about what it means to stand firm and act like men. It was incredible. Three full pages of notes. I was in tears for most of the service. (I’ve come to learn this is how the Holy Spirit gets my attention – turns on the waterworks. If you ever see me in church weeping like a baby, just know: God is good.)
The next day, I finally picked Wild at Heart back up. Chapter Eight.
And wouldn’t you know it? It was about the armor of God – the very same passage Joby had just preached. That’s not coincidence. That’s a God nod.
Had I read that chapter on my own schedule, it might not have hit the same way. But God made me wait. I was frustrated that I’d missed my daily goal, but the truth is, He handed me distractions to align me with His timing – not mine. He needed me to hear that message clearly and personally.
After taking notes from both the sermon and the book, I sat back wondering: What should I do with all of this? Then came Monday – busy as ever.
Tuesday morning, I had time blocked to write, but no devotional planned. Usually, I pull from a pool of ideas, pray over one, and start writing what God gives me. But that morning, I sat staring at a blank screen.
So I prayed a familiar prayer: Lord, give me a word to share.
The very next thought that came to mind was – “The Armor of God isn’t just for you.”
The timing couldn’t have been clearer: God was reminding me that we’re in a real battle. Not a metaphorical one. Not a symbolic one. But a daily, unseen fight for our hearts, our families, and our faith.
Paul’s words in Ephesians 6:10–12 hits differently when you’ve been through a few battles of your own:
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Paul doesn’t say if we face spiritual battles – he says when. Every believer who decides to follow Christ becomes a target. But God doesn’t leave us unprotected. He gives us everything we need – not just to survive – but to stand firm, to advance, and to live in victory.
Just like a soldier wouldn’t step onto the battlefield without armor, we can’t walk through life unguarded. The attacks may not come as swords or spears – they come as doubt, distraction, discouragement, temptation, and fear.
But the armor of God isn’t just defense – it’s empowerment. It’s how we live from victory, not for it.
This series, born that Tuesday morning, is a journey through each piece of that armor – what it means, why it matters, and how to wear it daily. My prayer is that as we walk through these verses together, you’ll not only understand the armor – you’ll feel its weight, purpose, and power in your life.
“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground…” – Ephesians 6:13
Dadvotionals 