This is a repost from 2021, but I was immediately reminded of it when I heard this statement the other day:
If we get shot in the war because we didn’t put on the armor provided to us, it is not God’s fault. Dr. David Jeremiah
I love that. It is a poignant reminder of God’s provision. He knew we would need weapons to fight the battles on this earth (which technically are being fought in the heavenly places). I love also that it squarely shifts the responsibility of putting on the armor to us. What soldier would ever go to battle without some type of strategy, without some type of weapon? If we are not putting on the full armor of God, that’s what we have chosen to do.
The white horse moved along, choosing its own trail, heading down and northward on a slant. With another appraising glance at the cloud, much nearer now, Hopalong Cassidy drew his six-shooters one after the other and carefully wiped them free of dust. They were worn silver-plated Colt .45’s, their bone handles networked with tiny cracks, their balance perfect. It had been weeks since he had drawn a gun for any reason, but he knew the price of safety was unresting vigilance. The Trail to Seven Pines, by Louis L’Amour
Duh, duh, duh, duhhhhhh!!! Louis L’Amour is one of my favorite authors, mainly for his subject matter, the west. I love the dirt, the grit, the cows, the mountains, the horses, the history. You know, how the west was won and all that jazz. I read westerns to relax. To me they are mindless reading. I don’t have to concentrate and overthink (which I tend to do) things. A really good western author like L’Amour has a way of telling a story so that you can see it in your mind’s eye. You can picture the views, the sounds, the people, the smells. But when I came across this little paragraph the other night about Hopalong Cassidy, I went from mindlessness to consciousness. It was my snap to.
…but he knew the price of safety was unresting vigilance.
Dag…I kept reading that partial sentence over and over. This crazy profound thought in a book made for entertainment and pleasure. God speaks in the oddest of places. So, in order to get context, I backed up.
It had been weeks since he had drawn a gun for any reason…
Hopalong drew his gun for protection against robbers, bandits, rustlers, outlaws, wild animals, you know, the evils of his world. How long has it been since we have drawn our “gun” to protect us from the evils of our world? Are there not storm clouds gathering on a day-by-day, hour-by-hour, minute-by-minute basis in our lives and the world around us? How long has it been since we have drawn on our protection?
Hopalong’s protection was a set of perfectly balanced Colt .45’s. What’s our weapon of choice against this world? As followers of Christ, we have been given the most perfectly balanced weapon in the universe. The Word of God.
Now, I know that some of you more genteel readers of this will gasp at the comparison – gun and Bible, but there is nevertheless a connection. They are both weapons. If we believers are doing what we’re supposed to be doing, we would be drawing on our perfectly balanced protection not just for the moments when robbers and bandits and rustlers and outlaws and wild animals are near –but we would be dusting off our weapon like Hopalong, regularly, long before danger approaches. You see, sometimes in those moments of danger, it just may be too late. We must be vigilant, our eternal safety rests on it.
Put on all God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rue this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:11-12
Gunslingers of the west were rarely careless with their weapons but they also understood that not using their weapons to aid them in their battle, for protection, would most certainly mean their death. Have we ever thought about our weapons in that way? You know, the perfectly balanced weapons of God’s Word and words with God. The Bible and prayer. The lack of use of the most precious weapons God has given us will most certainly mean our eternal death?
When was the last time you drew your perfectly balanced weapon for any reason? Have we been vigilant in preparing for a showdown with the rulers and authorities of the unseen world? We do not fight this battle alone, but in order to withstand the barrage of bullets hurled in our direction by the evil one, we have got to be ready. We have got to know where our strength comes from and be able to completely rely upon that Source.
Who, knowing danger is all around, would not take steps to protect themselves? Who would not call across the desert for others to do the same?
We, at Family Bible Church, take steps each week to protect ourselves and to protect others through the inspired Word of God — that’s the Bible in our name. If you’re interested in studying the Word of God, in a family atmosphere, join us on Sundays at 10:00 am, at 1400 Echo Street, Martinsburg. Coffee’s ready at 9:15. All are welcome.