Combat Boots: The Neglected Armor

Part 3

We have been sharing about the neglected armor of God, the preparation of the Gospel of peace in the hearts of the people God has called, which, of course includes us all.

Preparation of Joseph and David

In Part 3, we begin by quickly examining both Joseph and David. They have a few similarities. Both were young when God called them; at age 17 Joseph had a dream, and Samuel anointed David at a similar age. But neither entered their calling until 30 years of age—after years of somewhat harsh preparation. But when they arrived they were ready!

Just think of Joseph. The story of his preparation filled five chapters from Genesis 37 through Genesis 41. In verse 40 of chapter 41 Pharoah said, “...only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.”

As a youth, he had two dreams showing the others bowing to him. His brothers, who already had serious problems with him because he was his father’s favorite, immediately rejected him and hated him even more. Even his father had doubts about it, although he wondered about the dreams. So right away Joseph was already detached from his family, especially his brothers.

So these guys, stewing in their bitterness toward little brother, intended to kill the young boy. However, God moved through the intercession of Reuben and Judah and they ended up simply selling Joseph to the Midianite traders who then took him to Egypt and promptly sold him as a slave to Potiphar.

We all know the wonderful story of Joseph; he went from a rejected lad to the pit, from the pit to being sold to a slave trader, from the trader to a slave, from a slave to prison, and from the prison to stand before the king.

In all this time of preparation, one thing was constant: God was with Joseph and consequently all those he was around got blessed—just as it was with his father, Jacob. In Genesis 30:27 Jacob’s uncle Laban realized: “The Lord has blessed me for thy sake.” The blessing of Abraham remained upon them as it is now upon you and all who are in Christ (Galatians 3:14).

All of this preparation took Joseph from a rejected young lad to the ruler of a nation, all for his God-given purpose. Joseph himself stated in Genesis 50:20: “God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” So then God, through Joseph, in saving the seed of Abraham, also saved many others and kept the lineage to Jesus going! How awesome is that?

As for King David, it was in 1 Samuel 16:13 that Samuel anointed him king in front of all his brothers. Naturally they were annoyed at him for this and let him know it when he later visited them on the field of battle.

It was maybe 15 years after this, after a season of preparation and testing, that he was anointed king of Judah by the people of Judah (2 Samuel 2:4). And after prolonged battle against the house of Saul, he was then anointed by the men of Israel as their king (2 Samuel 5:3). But God anointed him by Samuel and that is when the Spirit of God came upon him. How many know that is what counts?

So what did David do then? He grabbed his harp and vittles and headed out to seek God and tend sheep. I believe here he sought to know God, learned to trust Him, His Name, and His covenant. Here he learned to worship to perfection. Here he met his first great tests, learning to defeat a lion and a bear through the strength of the anointing. Did you ever fight a lion? Here God became the strength of David’s life (Psalm 27:1).

His proficiency at worship was demonstrated when Saul asked for him to come and play the harp to drive off a demon. So Saul at first made David his armor bearer.

After his next big test with Goliath, of course, everyone loved him. But soon Saul felt the throne threatened and looked then to kill David. But even then when David caught him sleeping in the cave in 1 Samuel 24:10, he said, “I could have killed you but I will not touch God’s anointed.”

All of this was preparation for David and he became Israel’s greatest king.

The Preparation of You

Now understand this. It’s just a fact that you have passed through challenges already and more will come. Some come through our own bad decisions but some the devil will just throw at you because he doesn’t want you to find and achieve God’s purpose for you. God calls this your testing and the trial of your faith (James 1:1-4 and 1 Peter 1:7).

Of course it stands to reason that in order for you to enter into your calling, your purpose, or your ministry effectively, you must be prepared. So if the Spirit leads you into the wilderness, or into the backside of the desert, or into caves, or the fields, you can faithfully accept every challenge and allow God to actually prepare your heart for your purpose.

Just remember, God gives you the needed strength and anointing to accomplish all this. Everything you need for your purpose God has already bought and paid for and freely given it to you, just as He has bought and paid for and freely given you salvation and healing (Ephesians 1:3 and Romans 8:32).

Prepared to Receive

Now everything God gives must be received. I have seen many who did not receive their God-given healing because they were not prepared to receive it.

I am reminded of a story shared by Billy Burke who has a phenomenal healing ministry. It seems he found out—after the fact—of a lady in need of serious healing in her body. As it turns out she found out about Billy and that he had an upcoming meeting. Immediately she searched out his teaching and found all the scriptures he shared. She continued in this search constantly and consistently right up to the time of the meeting. By that time her heart was completely prepared to receive and she could say like the woman with the issue of blood, “When he lays his hands on me I will be healed,” and so she was.

It is a war and Satan will fight war to the knife and knife to the hilt to keep you from receiving if he can. Your preparation through challenges, seeking God and His word overcomes unbelief and prepares you for every battle. Jesus said unbelief comes out only with prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:21).

Failure to prepare results in mishandling of the two-edged Sword of the Spirit. Preparation is your combat boots.

These boots were made for walkin’ and that’s just what they’ll do
Devil, right now these boots are gonna walk all over you!
(Psalm 91:13  Luke 10:19  Joshua 1:3)
Let’s roll!

Empowered for the Times - Part 1

Empowered for the Times - Part 2