Tag Archives: Ephesians 6:10

Shielded

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Someone once commented that we have to always be on our guard because the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10+) doesn’t provide defensive armor for the back of the body. Thanks to Cindy for finding Isaiah 52:12 for me: “… The Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.”

One of my aunts sent me an article by Pastor Dave Hess, entitled Shielded, that speaks to a similar aspect of God’s protective shield.

Pastor Dave contracted AML, the same type of leukemia as I have, when he was 39. He talks about not expecting to live throughout the week, never mind a year. One member of his congregation reminded him of a verse about God being a shield around us. (Psalm 3:3 – You are a shield around me oh Lord.) Dave had rather dismissed the reminder as a nice gesture, but “real life miracles today?” Then at the end of his last round of chemo, his appendix burst. Surgery wasn’t an option because his platelets were so low, he would probably bleed to death. And his white counts were so low he couldn’t fight the infection without the surgery. Amazingly, his white blood levels rose and his platelets multiplied enough so the surgeon could at least proceed with exploratory surgery to assess the damage.

The doctor was amazed by what he discovered. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” the surgeon explained. Holding up a photo, he pointed out what remained of the burst appendix. Then he pointed to a circular tent-like structure composed of tightly knit adhesions. Making a circle, he said that this kind of scar tissue is the strongest known and normally is seen only after someone has had surgery. He explained that this protective scar tissue ‘wall’ contained all the toxins within it. All the adhesions acted as little ‘shields’ packed together to protect the rest of Dave’s body! (Yes, miracles do still happen.)

What kind of shield do you pick up when you are in trouble? God provides us with a shield of faith to protect us from the fiery darts meant to harm and dismay us. And he himself provides a shield that surrounds us with goodwill (Psalm 5:12). He promises: “under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” (Psalm 91:4)

When getting dressed and changing clothes, let’s remember to also put on the shield of our faithful God.

A lamp to your feet and light to your path

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I’ve been meditating on Ps 119:105. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” It seems that sometimes God only gives us a lamp for the step we are currently on right now. He wants our footing to be secure so we can stand firm (Eph 6:10) and not stumble. Sometimes our current standing seems more like sitting on a bench. What he has spoken to us in this ‘bench’ season is that we should sit on the bench in obedience and not strive to get back in the game until he calls us. But it is more than that. Because, at least in our case, we are confident that God is actively at work preparing our next steps, he also desires to use this time to prepare our hearts as he draws us closer to him. Like the 14 years between David’s anointing and his crowning and the same period of time between Paul’s conversion and his first missionary journey, it is not a time of twiddling thumbs, but of actively seeking God, enjoying him fully, growing in him, and serving him where we are.

Do you trust that God will also reveal his light upon your path, that you may more clearly see not just your current step but also the near path before you? Be faithful in listening for his voice so, like Samuel, you can quickly respond, “Here I am Lord. Speak for your servant is listening.”

Find blessings as you continue to draw near to such a loving God whose mercies never fail, whose compassions are new every morning. Draw close so he can guide and direct you.

Overcoming Adversity

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What adversities and challenges have weighed you down and yet you were able to overcome?

  • Were you abandoned at the age of three?
  • Beaten since you were five?
  • Sold into slavery?
  • Have you been homeless?

These trials make up the past of a South Korean young man, Sung Bong Choi. His story is one of the power of an indomitable will. Pushed down on every side, he sought solace through listening to music and in singing while working as a manual laborer. In this video clip from the 2011 Korea’s Got Talent show he stuns the judges with his premiere performance and story.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ46Ot4_lLo

I don’t know what will happen to this young man now that he has achieved ‘success.’  Will he maintain his sense of humility and devote his life to helping others who suffered as he did? There are so many choices before him now.

I think it is rare that willpower alone would achieve such a transformation. I know there have been times in my life when willpower alone was simply not sufficient for the transformation I needed. God alone was able to raise me out of the depths of my situation. But then, our individual will, the ability to choose, is a valued gift of God. We are not the masters of our own destiny, but we can choose to follow the One who IS the master. And even if we choose to reject Him, He still gives us this precious gift of will to effect powerful change, for the good or bad. What choices will you make throughout today that allow you to rise above your struggles?

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10