Covered in His Armour

“I wish I knew more scripture passages by memory,” my Aunt Betty stated as we sat in the patient area at the Juravinski Cancer Centre, waiting for her next radiation treatment. “I remember Psalm 23,” she said. “But I wish I remembered more.”

My heart broke. Betty was a former Sunday School Teacher. An avid Sunday School Teacher. One of the best. Each week she gave her students (including me) a passage of scripture to memorize. One Sunday, my memory verse was short and easy to remember, but Betty had given the older students a lengthy Bible passage. Matthew 6:25-34 to be particular:

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Every single student recited the long passage from memory. If it has stayed with me all these years, I’m sure it has remained with them as well.

Betty understood the importance of knowing scripture, of keeping the words close to our hearts and fresh in our minds. For it is in our weakest moments that we need them the most. When scared, these are the words that calm us. When alone, knowing the Lord is with us brings comfort. When facing the darkest hours of our lives, we have hope, knowing we are covered in His armour. Safe and secure under the shadow of His wings.

Betty knew a lot more than Psalm 23. She read and studied the Bible her entire life. She taught the scriptures to others for decades. But on that particular day, Betty drew a blank. When she needed it the most, it eluded her.

What can we do to ensure this doesn’t happen to us? How can we keep ourselves covered in the full armour of God when we so desperately need His strength?

The Apostle Paul tells us when we put on the armour of God, to include “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” This is so much easier today with the entire internet literally at our fingertips. We can listen to songs, devotionals, and podcasts on our phone. We can watch inspirational videos, or download Bible and Study Apps. We can take the Word of God with us everywhere we go.

Before I had data on my phone, I copied the lyrics of “Great is Thy Faithfulness” to my note app so I could recite the words while waiting for an MRI appointment. This kept me focused and less anxious during the ordeal. Other options are available if we don’t own, or can’t carry, a phone. We can write favourite verses or passages on index cards and stick them in our pocket or purse. We can memorize short verses, like Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Meditating on brief passages will help with remembering. Focus on the words and then think of a happy place. A place where we feel warmth and love.

We are not alone in our darkest moments. “The Christ you have to deal with is not a weak person outside you, but a tremendous power inside you.” The Lord will give us strength. And when we’re armed for the battle, we’ll be ready. Like the Virtuous Woman, may it be said, “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”

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“Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.”

-Ephesians 6:13-18 MSG