We’ve heard a lot about PPE over the last few years. PPE=Personal Protective Equipment. Think mask and gloves. We’re all a little tired of hearing about PPE, those three little letters can trigger the dread-part of our brain. But, how very important they are. Not just during a pandemic, but also when you go to the dump. Yep, another trash post.
Remember my thoughts last week about the “landfill” or the “dump?” Well, I had one more…
When you travel the road back to the actual dumping grounds, to that deceptively beautiful dumping ground — remember, trash on trash on one-side and the beautiful three-state mountains on the other? Anyway, there is a requirement to drive back to that spot…every person in the vehicle must have PPE. Yep. You must have in your vehicle a hardhat, a neon vest, and protective eyewear for each person. Once on top, you must put them on before you exit your vehicle.
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:10-18
So pop that hardhat of salvation on your head. It may seem wobbly, too tight, or too loose, but, go ahead and just ratchet that strap. We know who wins in the end, God wins! Although we may sometimes wonder how it will all happen, we are absolutely sure that God is the victor. This assurance of eventual deliverance keeps us from retreating or surrendering. We march into battle with our salvation completely protected.
Don’t forget your vest, the shield of faith. We are assured that Satan will point his fiery arrows right at the heart of every single believer. Wearing our vest, the shield of faith, will assure that every arrow meant for destruction will fall to the ground. The shield of faith is confidence in the Lord — confidence that he will protect us, no matter how many arrows come our way. When all hope seems lost, when destruction seems inevitable, when doubts swirl in our heads, when the ship looks to be going down, the shield of faith gives us the power to say that Satan is a liar and God is truth, and then saying: “I believe God.”
We must put on our eye shields. We must keep our eyes on the Lord at all times. Look directly into the Lord’s eyes — don’t blink. We need to sink our eyes into the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. No matter what we go through, the Word of God speaks to it. It offers counsel, compassion, guidance, and hope.
God gives us all the protection that we need. We must see that there is a “ring of truth” about our walk with the Lord, that our lives are right (righteous) with God and walk with one another, that we seek to make peace wherever we go, that we lift up that shield of faith together to quench the flaming darts of the evil one, that we protect our minds from fears and anxieties that easily assail, and that we use God’s word to good effect in the power of the Spirit. Remember it was by the repeated sword thrusts of God’s word that Jesus overcame his adversary in the wilderness. David Watson
The Personal Protective Equipment given to us by God does us absolutely no good, if we don’t put it on. But when we do, we will still be targeted by Satan, but no matter what comes our way, we know that the Lord is fighting our battle and He always wins.