ODB: Putting On God’s Armor

May 9, 2026

READ: 2 Samuel 11:1-5 

In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war. . . . David remained in Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 11:1

Nafi and Kamran joined a military coup. They fought for years and, when their side won, were given desk jobs in the capital. It’s not going well. There’s little to do, so they go online. Nafi says that many of his comrades, “including me, are addicted to the internet, especially Twitter.” Kamran adds, “The real test and challenge was not during the [war]. Rather, it’s now. At that time, it was simple, but now things are much more complicated.” Citing the various temptations he found on the Web, he added, “Many . . . have fallen into these seemingly sweet, but actually bitter traps.”

Kamran’s right that we’re most vulnerable to let down our guard when we’re at ease, just as he was after a war. In Scripture, we find a similar caution in the story of David’s adultery with Bathsheba. It all began when he sent others off to war but remained behind in the capital. Like an undisciplined man scrolling the internet, David “got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace” (2 Samuel 11:2). He put himself in harm’s way. And when “he saw a woman bathing,” he didn’t turn away (vv. 2-3).

We avoid the postwar letdown by remembering we’re still at war. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but . . . against the spiritual forces of evil.” So, as He helps us, we “put on the full armor of God” and prepare to “stand [our] ground” (Ephesians 6:12-13).

— Mike Wittmer

Dear Jesus, I fight today in Your power and by Your Spirit.

Source: Our Daily Bread