We
completed the preparation of these poppers for dinner last night. We were using
the grill for hamburgers, so we decided to grill the poppers instead of baking
them. They were even better!
When
the poppers were ready to be removed from the grill, my husband grabbed a few
pot holders from the kitchen drawer and carried the hot tray inside. As he made
his way to the kitchen he mentioned that his hands were getting hot. He set the
popper laden tray down, but the pot holders would not pull away from the tray. They
had melted from the heat of the tray.
It
became clear that the grill tray held much more heat than a normal baking sheet
that is designed for an oven. It also became clear that standard household
potholders were not the right protection against such heat.
As Christians, we must be aware of the spiritual protection that is available for us. Satan knows our weaknesses and how to draw us out from our protection. We must be wise to remain within the boundaries of our spiritual protection.
David
certainly knew about God’s protection and asked for it frequently. In Psalm
5:11 (NIV), David rejoiced in God’s refuge.
“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread
your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.”
We can rejoice in God’s protection as well, because we love His name!
Another
passage in which David praised God for protection is Psalm 32:7 (NIV). He says,
“You are my hiding place; you will
protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” When we
hide from our enemies within the shelter of God’s protection, we will be
delivered.
We
read in Psalm 31:28 (NIV) that when we act justly and are faithful, God
protects and is faithful to us. “For the
Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be
protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off.”
In
Psalm 40:11 (NIV), David says, “Do not
withhold your mercy from me, O Lord; may your love and your truth always
protect me.” God’s love and truth always protect. What a promise!
So
how can we utilize God’s protection to its fullest? Ephesians 6:16 tells us
that “In addition to all of this [putting
on the Armor of God], take up the shield of faith, with which you
can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” A shield protects
its bearer from oncoming blows. That is exactly what our faith is to do. Provide
protection for us against our enemy.
We
can pray for protection as Jesus did for His disciples in John 17:11 and 15
(NIV). “I will remain in the world no
longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father,
protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be
one was we are one…My prayer is not that you take them out of the world, but
that you protect them from the evil one.”
We
can know that God’s love and truth will always protect us. (Psalm 40:11)
I
want to mention one more passage that David wrote. Psalm 91. You’ll recognize
it as soon as you begin reading. David was in need of protection and found a
secure place with God.
“He who dwells in the shelter of the
Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He
is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” (Psalm 91:1-2 – NIV)
Do
you feel the need for God’s protection today? Is Satan on the prowl? Is Satan
ready to pounce? If so, look to these passages and use them in your prayer time
with God. Ask God to be your protection. Take up your shield of faith. Head into
battle knowing that Satan’s flaming arrows have no effect upon you. You will be
victorious.
Grace
and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
No comments:
Post a Comment