The Soldier’s Armor

Did you know that a beetle has no bones inside his body, because the outside of his body is all bones? It is called an exoskeleton, which means, bones on the outside. His bones are made of chitlin, which is very hard, like your fingernail.

You and I don’t have exoskeletons, because our bones are on the inside of us. When we bump into things, we can get bruised, because our skin, muscles, and soft parts are on the outside of our bones, for the most part. Wouldn’t we look funny if we had an exoskeleton, like a beetle? If a beetle bumps into things, he doesn’t hurt and feel sore for a long time. His armor keeps him safe and protected.

Some animals have learned to hide in caves to protect themselves. In Proverbs 30:26 we read: “The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks.” Conies are like guinea pigs, and are very soft to touch and gentle. These little weak animals could be killed easily, but they hide in the caves in the rocks. Their enemies cannot get to them, for they are protected by the armor of the rocks.

In Ephesians 6:11, the Bible tells us about the armor of the Christian. “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” We put on this armor on to protect our heart against the devil and hard things that happen to us in life. Things such as disappointments and sickness that could hurt us inside.

“The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.”* (Psalm 62:7) God’s children are weak and easily hurt, but they learn to hide in Him. God is strong, and we are strong in Him, just as a cony is strong because of the rock’s strength. Conies eat grass, but one always watches while the others eat. This watcher cony sits up on a rock and watches for danger all the time. If an enemy is spotted, it gives a sharp whistle. Then every smart cony dives into the rocks. In this way, they escape those who hunt them.

A little boy had an older brother who was always doing mean things to him. But this little boy put on the armor of forgiveness. He was ready to forgive his brother before his brother did something mean to him. This protected his heart, so he was not hurt by his older brother’s unloving ways.