"Take the helmet of salvation..." (Eph 6:17 NIV)
Although I love wearing hats, I have never had the desire to wear a helmet. They
are too heavy for my taste, but boy, they sure were useful during a battle in
Roman times! Helmets were usually made of leather, with plates of metal
sometimes strategically placed at the temples and forehead. It was used as a
softening device against blows to the head during hand-to-hand combat. They were
also practical if you fell from your horse! A bit like the hockey helmets we use
today.
Protecting one's head is of extreme importance. One blow against the head can
not only paralyze an individual or cause extreme brain injury, but may kill him
as well! Our minds are also extremely important to protect, for it is here that
you find the battle ground between good and evil.
"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The
weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they
have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments
and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God,
and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to
Christ." (2 Cor 10:3-6 NIV)
Many of us have no idea what is happening in our heads. Oftentimes we are
ashamed by sudden thoughts that flood our minds. While at times these can
initiate from our own thoughts, they can also be planted there, by demons
straight from hell!
If we don't consciously decide to stand up for the truth, we will end up like
burned toast, if you know what I mean. We need to constantly remember (Just
like we parents remind our kids to wear helmets even
though they will grunt and complaint) who our deliverer is, and firmly believe
in His promises, for unlike us, He keeps them! He is the only One who can assure
us a God-pleasing life. "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through
our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Cor 15:57 NIV)
Only by claiming His promises and being 100% convinced that He will come through
for us, will we be filled with anticipation: There is something better just
ahead. God is in control, even though our senses may tell us otherwise!
"Don't be afraid. Stand firm and watch God do his work of salvation for you
today." (Ex 14:13)
Anticipate His deliverance and watch His power unfold for you.
This discussion about the protection of heads reminds me of our trip to Milford
Sound in New Zealand. We had stopped to see the Chasm, a spot where the Cleddau
river disappears between a narrow gorge forming a beautiful waterfall. However
when we first approached the Chasm, it
wasn't the gorge that
we
saw, but a skull made out of stone. No human hands
formed it. The gentle touches of air and water over time have formed a myriad of
hollowed out rocks, and yes, the waterfall was impressive, but so were these
spectacular rock displays!
If air and water can form such beauty, we can be assured that our Creator can
create beauty out of the mess we have made of our lives. However, in order to be
carved into such outstanding splendor, we need to leave Him to do His work, ever
trusting in the amazing love He has for each one of us.
Our God is a God of wonders. Jesus is our Savior!
May we protect our minds with the promises given to us by the Most High. We
never know where the next blow will come from! Ouch!
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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