Protection
By Tracy
Smith
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand
against the devil’s schemes.”
Ephesians 6:11 (NIV)
For Veteran’s Day, I’ve been
thinking about our nation’s protectors and all they do for us. Throughout the
years, the men and women of our Armed Forces have sacrificed much to keep us
safe and free. As I continued thinking about Veteran’s Day and our military, it
occurred to me that they could not do their jobs and make the sacrifices they
make without the proper tools and protection.
Today’s soldiers do not go into
battle without the proper equipment: helmet, eye protection, bulletproof body
armor, boots, weapons, armored vehicles, etc. Each one of these tools has a
purpose for their protection. Without them, their jobs would be much more
difficult, if not impossible.
The same is true in the life of a
Christ follower. Our battle is not a battle against human foes, but against
those that are not of this world, and we must be prepared. Ephesians 6:12 says, “ For our struggle is not against flesh and
blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the
powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the
heavenly realms.” Verses 13-17 go on to outline the tools and
equipment we have at our disposal to fight the battle.
“Therefore put on the full armor of
God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your
ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then,
with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of
righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that
comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the
shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of
the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God.”
As we start each day, we need to
make sure that we are going into battle with all that we need: the belt of
truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of
faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit.
Just as our soldiers would not go
into battle without the proper gear, neither should we.
GOING
DEEPER:
1.
Which one of the tools mentioned in Ephesians 6:13-17 do you tend to
forget you have at your disposal? Will you pray for a change?
2. Do you know veterans or someone who is
currently serving? If so, please use this day to thank them for their service.
FURTHER
READING:
Along with being
a wife and mother to two teenage sons, Tracy is a ministry assistant at Oakwood
and works with a great group of High School girls.
