Setting Priorities

( 0 Votes )

God's Armor Bearer Devotional

Written by Terry Nance

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.
(Matt. 22:37-38)

Thus far we have investigated the Old Testament concerning the subject of armorbearing, and we have clearly defined the duty, role, and service of the armorbearer in his Old Testament function. Now let's look more closely at this role of armorbearing in the light of the New Testament.

In the life of every Christian, God has established a certain order of priorities. Both the armorbearer and the person he is serving should follow these priorities if they are to live fruitful Christian lives. In descending order of importance, these priorities are:

relationship with God,
relationship with spouse,
relationship with children, and
employment or work.

One of the main differences between armorbearing in the Old Testament and in the New Testament is the fact that in Old Testament days, the duty of an armorbearer was priority number one. In the New Testament, armorbearing is priority number four.

Keeping one's relationship with God fresh and thriving is the basis for all of the other areas of life flowing smoothly. How easy it is, though, to let the duties of the ministry or work come before all of the others areas. It is something every believer must guard against. It brings no honor to God when the family unit breaks down because of a neglected marriage. And how could it possibly bring glory to God when a person's children rebel against the things of God because the needs of the ministry have pushed them out of the way?

This doesn't mean that today's armorbearer is to take less than necessary care of his responsibility, however. His position is a God-given one, and he must be a good steward of that duty. The physical roles may have changed, but the attitude of the heart must be the same.

It is not easy to keep priorities straight and to walk in excellence in each area; but, it is vital if the armorbearer is to reach his full potential. Adjustments may need to be made from time to time, but the fruit that results from it will be fruit that remains and brings glory to God.

Developing the Spirit of an Armorbearer

You may agree on the order in which each priority should fall, but what is the reality in your life? You may want God to be number one, but is He? Are your giving your spouse and children the priority treatment they need?
What safeguards can you put into place to ensure that you keep your priorities in line?
If you have been putting your role as armorbearer ahead of other areas, what are some things you can do to ensure that even though you are moving it to position number four, you can still perform your armorbearing duties with excellence?

Father, life sure can be a juggling act. I find it difficult to keep my priorities in line when life is so fast paced. The urgent things try to monopolize my time and push the important things to the side. I want to excel in each of the four areas of my life and live in such a way that everything I do brings glory to You. I must have Your wisdom in order to do that, and I receive it now. Help me to walk in the Spirit moment by moment and to allow You to show me the path of life. Amen.

Source: God's Armorbearer Devotional by Terry Nance
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers