Day 342

December 8th
Ephesians 5:15-6:23; Colossians 1:1-23.  “Armor of God”
         The truth that God providentially cares for His people does not guarantee that God will supernaturally intervene in our lives when trouble hits.  It also doesn’t mean that God will violate our own free will just to protect us in a given situation. 
         We have to own some responsibility for our lives and our actions.  Often times I think that God’s providence is a combination of appropriate actions taken by a sovereign God, and the utilization of resources made available to us by that same God.
         This is where the illustration of the armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-17) comes into play.  God, in His divine providence, has given spiritual resources for us in spiritual battles.  It is inappropriate and actually quite arrogant for Christians to assume that God’s providence means an easy life without having to prepare for spiritual battle.
            May you see God’s invitation to put on spiritual armor as one way in which He cares for you.