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“He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in fury as in a mantle.” (Isaiah 59:17).  No, that’s not the lesson scripture for today, which also comes from Isaiah, but from chapter 12.  I wonder why?  Is it because chapter 59 is more martial, more “old testament”?  Or did the writers of this quarter’s Adult Bible Studies just like the joyous Isaiah of today’s scripture better?  Let’s look at it:

1 You will say in that day: “I will give thanks to you, O Lord, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me.
2 “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”
3  With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
4  And you will say in that day: “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted.
5  “Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth.
6 Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 12:1-6 (ESV)

It is certainly more redolent of hopefulness and joy, but we’re studying Ephesians 6:10-18 and considering the fact that “our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness” (Ephesians 6:12), I’m more than comfortable with a God whose wrath is kindled by injustice.  “When justice is turned back, and righteousness stands at a distance, for truth stumbles in the public square” (Isaiah 59:14) . . . God sees this and is not simply displeased.  He is “appalled” and then . . . he intervenes (Isaiah 59:16) and comes as the one who redeems (Isaiah 59:20).  Because – unlike mankind – God keeps covenant.

Thus he brings us salvation:  in joy - and in anger; with peace - and wrapped in fury; as comforter - and wearing garments of vengeance.  In either case, he comes keeping his covenant, bringing salvation – that we add like a helmet to our armory.

Think about the words – “this present darkness”.  What does that mean?  At the time it was first written?  Now?  Have you ever felt threatened by “this present darkness”?  What were the circumstances?  How did you handle your fear, your doubt, your trial?  What has the concept of salvation meant to you in overcoming doubt, fear and trials?