"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
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 6:12-17
This resonated with me today, I think because we can see similar things happening in our day, and we could probably use some armor. :) All of these things are good, don't get me wrong, but the ones that stand out to me right now are truth, faith, and the Spirit. Remembering and holding fast to the truth is so important in these days of deception. Our faith can protect us, but we need to maintain and strengthen it. And the Spirit, which is also the word of God, to cut through the darkness and the tangling vines of sin as we forge forward on our path.
It's interesting to compare a bit to Lehi's dream, where the word of God was represented by the iron rod that led to the tree, which was the Love of God. All of our armor and weapons and protections and helps and the way forward and our rearguard and even our cloak and clothing is all make of the same stuff... the light of Christ, the power of God, the sure promises of Salvation. These stories and dreams and symbolism help us to visualize it and hopefully internalize it, but it is all the same gospel, leading towards the same God, and ending in the same love and infinite joy, which is before us eternally. God has his arms open and extended to welcome us home, not to a boring eternity of sameness, but to an engaging, eternal adventure. Let's suit up and move towards those arms, and that goal... helping as many as we can along the way.
