A Paradise Lost

The Armor of Protection

When Queen Raya arrived inside the king’s palace, she offered her gift immediately. King Romulus was pleased to receive her gift. He welcomed her and the rest of her warriors.

“I have heard my king that your country used to be the most powerful country in the world. We don’t aim to become the next most powerful country in the world but we like to know your secret  so that we can use it to defend our country against foreign invaders.”

“I am more than happy to show you our country’s pride, my queen. We may not have the same technology with the Egyptians but I hope that you can learn from our culture and use these knowledge to strengthen the military defense in your country.”

“I am excited to learn about your military strategies. Please tell us about the weapons you use against your enemy.”

King Romulus summoned one Roman soldier. He showed Queen Raya the armor of protection that their soldiers wear during battle.

“We started training our soldiers between the age of 18-20 years old. We don’t send our soldiers to battle without wearing the full armor of protection.”

Queen Raya looked at the soldier from head to foot. She walked around the soldier and scrutinize every inch of his armor.

“A soldier is only ready for battle when he is girded with his belt. The belt worn by our soldiers is made of metal and thick heavy leather and is the carrying place for his sword. It also has a protective piece that hang down in the front. His belt hold all the pieces together. To be fitted with his belt, means he is ready to face action.”

Queen Raya believed that the belt is the truth that holds the believer’s armor together as well. We must know this truth in order to protect ourselves against our flesh, the world, and the father of lies.

“A Roman soldier is always equip with a breastplate. This piece of armor protects his vital organs in the heat of the battle especially when he is not quick enough to take up his shield. The breastplate is for the quick and unexpected advances of the enemy.”

As a believer of Yahweh, Queen Raya realized that we have no righteousness apart from that which has been given by Yahweh. Our breastplate was His righteousness. His righteousness would never fail. Though we have no righteousness of our own, we must still, by His power, chose to do right. Living a right life, rooted in Yahweh’s word was powerful in protecting our heart, killing our flesh, and defeating the enemy.

“The feet of our soldiers are fitted with sandals. These sandals are made to protect their feet during their long marches into battle. It has extremely thick soles wrapped perfectly around their ankles to protect their feet against blistering. Their sandals also have spikes on the bottom to help them stand firm as they travel. These help them have a firm foundation.”

Queen Raya understood that one of the easiest ways for the enemy to succeed in shaking us loose from standing firm is to tempt us with worry. When we carry anxiousness  and worry with us, we are robbed of peace. But the words of Yahweh kept our feet anchored in standing firmly.

“Our soldier’s shield is a complex piece of armor. The shield is a soldier’s primary defensive weapon. It is made of impenetrable wood, leather, canvas, and metal. It is douse in water to extinguish the fiery arrows of the enemy.”

Whenever Queen Raya was attacked by fiery darts of problems in her kingdom that impacted her heart, she extinguished them with reminders of Yahweh’s goodness over her circumstances. Faith was the shield of the believer. Trusting in Yahweh’s power and protection was imperative in remaining steadfast. When the battle raged, she must remember that Yahweh works all things for good. He was always true to His promises.

“The soldier’s head is one of his most vulnerable areas. Without his helmet, one blow to the head would prove fatal. His helmet covers his entire head, facial area, and between the eyes. His armor will be useless if he isn’t equip with his helmet.”

Queen Raya agreed that the helmet of salvation was the most crucial piece of armor for the believers of Yahweh’s. Without faith in Yahweh at the moment of salvation, all other armors were useless. Salvation empowered believers to fight. It protected us in our weaknesses. Without salvation, there is no victory.

“All other pieces of the soldier’s arsenal are defensive weapons, but not his sword. The sword is a deadly weapon. In the hands of a skilled warrior, he can pierce through even the strongest armor.”

As a skilled sword fighter, Queen Raya knew that the sword was like Yahweh’s words that could truly fight and defeat all enemies.

The most important weapon that Queen Raya and her warriors used during battle was prayer. All other weapons like armors, swords, bolos, spears, and bows and arrows were just props compared to the power of prayer. In prayer, we were showing our reliance upon Yahweh to act and move. The entire armor was rooted in His strength. Without His presence, they were powerless in the fight. The only way to see victory was to fight in Yahweh’s power.

“As a gift offering, my queen, I would like to give a sword and a complete set of armor to all your warriors.”

“That’s very generous of you, my king.”

“My pleasure. How many warriors do you have?”

“I have a total of 250 warriors including the 50 warriors we left to watch over our ship.”

“Not a problem. I will give a sword and a complete set of armor to all your 250 warriors.”

“Thank you.”

As promised, King Romulus gave a sword and a complete set of armor to all of Queen Raya’s 250 warriors. All her warriors were very pleased by the generosity of the king. They felt lucky that Queen Raya chose them to accompany her on her journey.

“Please tell us about the training that your soldiers undergo.”

“Very well, my queen.”