Righteousness

Eph. 6:14 (NKJV)

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

The coat of mail was a vital piece of armor. Its primary function was to protect the heart from the spears and arrows of the enemy. A blow to the heart is nearly impossible for any soldier to overcome. Our enemy knows this and often this is the "heart" of his strategy. Job of the Old Testament understood this battle. In just a few days, Satan was allowed to take away everything that he loved, everything that is except his wife. His children were killed, his servants, his wealth and even his health. I believe Satan was fine with leaving Job's wife as she would become his greatest ally. However Job also retained his righteousness. Job's armor of righteousness would keep his heart and perspective pure throughout his suffering. The first half of the word righteousness is the word "right." I don't want to trivialize the thought, but righteousness is the ability to remain right. When Satan attacks our hearts we need to retain a right view of who God is, a right view of eternity, a right view of reality. Today, may we be able to remain right when our heart is attacked. To be protected from his attacks by our own breastplate of righteousness.