Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Eph 6:11 KJV)

The whole armour of God is a divine gift. We humans don’t have that much power from ourselves. Yet if the most holy God gives us his whole armour, if he is in us and we are in him, then we are well armed and ready for war. Yes, if he guards and keeps us, we are most wonderfully protected and shielded against all evil and onslaughts of the devil. It would be very foolish to attempt to fight this wily foe on our own. Yet it is just as foolhardy and even cowardly and fainthearted if we are well equipped and empowered for combat by the Lord on high and we would still shy away from this calling to war and run away not to face this challenge in the name of the Lord. Who would be so timid and dare to doubt the heavenly victory? We know the promise: “The Lord will fight for you, you however will be still!” Even now this war is really more God’s war than ours. Whoever trusts in the Lord, will not flee. Victory belongs to the faithful. Beware of the cowardice of doubt and unbelief! Beware of the enemy, remember your high calling and responsibility – and take up the full armour of God. He will lead you to victory! “Put on this armour,” admonishes the apostle, “so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” You can’t get by with just any casual clothing. You must wear the godly armour to fight a good battle. The godly power is his and his victory will be yours. All is from God and to his glory. He guarantees our victory and the final destruction of the devil and all evil.

Lord God, heavenly Father! You have sent your only begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ into this world to destroy the works of the devil. We pray you, keep us from pernicious self-security and preserve us in all temptations and afflictions through the mighty power of your Holy Spirit, so that we may fight nobly and even in all assaults of the devil remain in your peace to the very end and come to your eternal salvation. Amen. (Agenda of the old Prussian Union 1931)

Lord, keep us steadfast in your Word; Curb those who by deceit or sword Would wrest the kingdom from your Son And bring to nought all he has done.

Lord Jesus Christ, your power make known, For you are Loud of lords alone; Defend your holy Church that we May sing your praise triumphantly.

O Comforter of priceless worth, Send peace and unity on earth; Support us in our final strife And lead us out of death of life. (Martin Luther 1483-1546 tr Catherine Winkworth 1827-1878)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Monday after the twenty first Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 362 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.