READING: Isaiah 59-63
This year, we’ve been looking at spiritual warfare in the Scriptures as we read together. Today’s reading is critical to that journey.
When the Lord saw that there was no justice and no one to fix the problem, Isaiah tells us that He entered the battle Himself: “He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak” (Isa 59:17). This is also the God of whom Isaiah wrote, “Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist” (Isa 11:5). God metaphorically put on the armor, stepped into the war, and brought judgment, justice, and redemption. It is His strong arm, not our efforts, that “achieved salvation” (Isa 63:5).
It’s quite likely, of course, that Paul was considering these images when he wrote about the armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-17. The difference is not insignificant, however: in Isaiah, it’s God who puts on the armor and fights the battle on our behalf so that we might later wear His armor ourselves. We are victors in the spiritual battle simply because the armor we wear is not ours; it’s the armor of the God who has already defeated the enemy. He who’ve we seen to be our Warrior throughout the Scriptures is also the One who gives us His armor for the fight.
What does that truth mean for us? First, it reminds us that any attention we give to spiritual warfare must focus on God rather than the enemy. God is the One who proclaims victory, who is “mighty to save” (Isa 63:1).
Second, we really are on the winning side. Even when it seems like the devil is winning, we can trust that he is not the victor. He’s a strong foe, but he’s defeated.
Third, any spiritual victory we experience is due to God’s intervention and power, so He alone must get the praise. Any time we think we deserve attention for our spiritual victories, we’ve just bit on the enemy’s bait.
God alone has defeated the evil one. We win only because of the Divine Warrior. Period.
ACTION STEPS:
- Thank God for putting on the armor when you and I could not win the battle.
- Throughout the day, thank Him for any spiritual victory — small or great — you experience.
PRAYER: “God, You’re the warrior. I need not worry about the battle. Help my unbelief when I struggle in the battle.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Isaiah 64-66
