there is Liberty
Diadem By: Liberty Simpson
I need just the hem of His garment;
yet, He chooses to give me a robe.
A mightful protection I will never be able to pay for;
yet, He still chose to trade His diadem for my gift.
Enveloped with the covering of God’s victorious armor,
I wield a watery shield, extinguishing flaming arrows.
He is my shield, my glory, and the defender of my heart.
As His face shines on mine, I know that I am His.
There is a Psalm tattooed on my heart for Him that only I can sing.
Jesus is my King, and He will not let me go.
I stand.
I am an extremely independent person. I typically fill my plate up to the point where it is spilling over before I seek any sort of aid. (I’m really sorry to my parents for doing this. Seriously, SO sorry!) I like to do everything myself, because I can FOR SURE handle it…. right?
Can you see where this is going?
I have found, over the duration of my short 18 years, that the more I try to pick up the weight of the world with my own two hands, the more subject I am to vicious- and deceptive- spiritual attacks. Whether that be moments of terrible anxiety, hearing lies from the enemy, choosing to resolve scripture, or even choosing to pray- there are constant attacks from a very real enemy trying to make us do the complete opposite of what the Lord wants. When we choose to disregard his tactics, we are destined to lose the battle before it has even begun. Tactics of lies, deception, depression, defeat, exhaustion… And when the battle starts, if we wield physical weapons- instead of spiritual weapons- we’ve already lost. I am still currently learning that the success of my battles relies directly on my faith and my use of spiritual weapons the Lord (so generously) gives us. The wielding of these spiritual weapons allows His spirit to roam wild in the battles, distributing the freedom and peace that surrounds His name.
2 Corinthians 3:17 states, “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
Now, say that aloud to yourself. Speak that verse over yourself and meditate on the Truth within that verse. Our Savior is always with us, and where the Lord is, there is liberty.
My church, over the past several weeks, has been doing a series centered around the importance of surrendering daily and clothing yourself in the (intentionally made) Armor of God. And wow, did the Lord speak directly to my spirit. By choosing to do everything alone, I unintentionally downplay the strength of the Lord in my battles. That tendency, I pray is removed from my heart daily; because the truth is, I am not strong enough. This realization affirmed my spirit’s absolute thirst and NEED for God, His freedom, and His divine intervention. When you clothe yourself in the sheer power of the weapons He gives us, victory is inevitable because He is there. And because He is there, freedom is inevitable.
Ephesians 6:10-20 illuminates just crucial clothing yourself in the Armor of God:
The Belt of Truth - to combat lies of the enemy. The sanctuary of THE TRUTH is your greatest defense.
The Breastplate of Righteousness - to protect the heart and soul.
The Shoes of The Gospel of Peace - to carry peace and GOOD NEWS (!!!) to the captured.
The Shield of Faith - it only takes a little faith to move mountains, and that little faith will extinguish flaming darts from the enemy.
The Helmet of Salvation - the belief that JESUS IS YOUR KING! A joy in the Lord so prevalent that when you look in His eyes, it frees your soul.
The Sword of The Spirit - standing firm and resolving to scripture, completely eliminating surrender.
Who am I to be worthy of such defense? Who am I that He is mindful of me? Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer.
And yet, by His grace alone, He is for me. And for you. Being behind and before us, He WANTS to redeem and restore us. He chooses to set our feet on the high ground and give us the upperhand. The protection that the Lord, as our savior, gives us is one that we do not have to earn, but one that He CHOOSES to give out… completely free of charge. Agape. An unmerited and gracious love for God’s children. Because of how deep the Father’s love is for us, He gives us access to His complete armory to accompany our faith, even a small amount of it. This knowledge is a testament of just how wild His love is for us. When we choose to take refuge in this free armor, capable of extinguishing every battle, we are able to taste His goodness and His promises. His might and power are freeing. We are able to walk and not become weary. We are able to run- and not faint- in the face of the battles in front of us. That is what happens when we choose to stand in the Armor of God. We stand, fully known, in the stronghold of His faithfulness and complete freedom.
Because where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty.
I am Free.
Until next time,
Liberty
Worship List:
Liberty - Shane and Shane
Son of Suffering - Maverick City Worship
How Deep The Father’s Love For Us - Shane and Shane
Pride of A Father - Hillsong Young and Free
Same God - Elevation Worship
My Soul Sings - Maverick City Worship
First Love - Kari Jobe
