THE ARMOUR OF GOD

I’ve never been a drunkard. A thing most men think odd.

But what is more exciting! The booze is not my god.

It could have been, but somehow, I never found the time,

To visit public houses with the different friends of mine.

When I had reached the tender age of only twenty one;

I’d been exposed to alcohol, but found the urge was none!

I much preferred sobriety. I tend to laugh at drunks.

But when I think about it, few men would join the monks.

The truth is that I met the Lord when I was just eighteen.

I can’t explain the difference that loving Him can mean.

I don’t recall a breastplate composed of Jesus love.

I knew that His salvation came down from God above.

The self control He’d given me was still some kind of myth.

But since I am His bond-slave, The One I’m always with,

Is Jesus Christ my Saviour. I begged Him to reveal,

His nature to the friends of mine. I just could not conceal,

The way His life had changed me. The only thing for me,

Was seeking after holiness. That’s what I’d rather be.

And so I tried His armour. I found it didn’t fit.

I tried to squeeze my life therein; that didn’t help a bit.

Truth was my biggest problem. My life had been a lie.

The belt would fit around my neck. That’s not the way to die!

The sandals didn’t fit me, because I had no peace.

I hadn’t yet arrived at where He’d give me His release.

My shield of faith was battered. I thought, “it’s made of tin”.

So even as a Christian, what was I like within?

My one redeeming feature was my passion for His Word.

I couldn’t get enough of it. I know that sounds absurd.

But Jesus had a purpose. To kick my props away.

To make me so repulsed with me, I’d run to Him and stay.

So over the last 50 years, my life has been transformed.

The breastplate now feels comfortable; and truth is now my norm.

The sandals are so comfortable I never take them off.

I wear them when I go to bed. My helmet I now doff

In honour of my Saviour. My shield of faith is strong

I keep it in position to keep me from all wrong.

The sword of Jesus’ Spirit remains my one desire.

And I admit quite openly, He fills my heart with fire.

So if your armour doesn’t fit. Don’t get into a state.

Ask the Lord to help you and really concentrate

On digging in the Bible, to find out what it says

And follow Christ your Saviour for your remaining days.

Jim Strickland – Written 8^th November 2011