Bible Ballistics: BBs #462   Still In HIS Care???

 

I just can’t seem to get past this idea of God’s sovereign care for us—there is so much going on around us, and I know I constantly need to refocus on my Father’s care, and the care of The Son Jesus—because there is so much need about us on every hand.

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him;

for he careth for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions

are accomplished in your brethren

that are in the world.”    1 Peter 5:6-9

I just love this message from Peter—you remember Peter, the fellow that went around with Jesus and had his “foot in his mouth” much of the time!!! Kind of like me! I’ve often told people “I know what the cause of death will be when I die!” And of course, they ask how can I know that, and I respond with a smile, “I’ll die from ‘hoof and mouth’ disease—for that’s where my foot (or sometimes both of them) is much of the time!” But all jokes aside, Peter is such a blessed example of the grace and faithfulness of our God to grow each of us in grace and mercy—no matter how great our faults, and short-comings may be; or even how often we may hop around with our foot in our mouth, instead of standing firm on solid ground. What we must remember is that our ‘adversary’ is ever in pursuit of God’s children—but just remember that when we walk with Jesus, Satan is a “toothless” lion! Jesus gained the victory at Calvary!! Amen and Amen!

Paul gives us a great word of encouragement to help us stand firm on solid ground, not shaky ground. We must keep our confidence sure as we put on that ‘armour of God’ each day to be prepared for the challenges that we each face continually. Paul’s reminder helps us keep our focus on the Lord and not our problems.

“Finally, my brethren,

be strong in the Lord,

and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to stand

against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh

and blood,

but against principalities,

against powers,

against the rulers of the darkness

of this world,

against spiritual wickedness

in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour

of God,

that ye may be able to withstand

in the evil day,

and having done all,

to stand.

14 Stand therefore,

having your loins girt about

with truth,

and having on the breastplate

of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod

with the preparation of the gospel

of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield

of faith,

wherewith ye shall be able to quench

all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet

of salvation,

and the sword

of the Spirit,

which is the word of God:

18 Praying always

with all prayer

and supplication

in the Spirit,

and watching thereunto

with all perseverance

and supplication

for all saints;” Ephesians 6:10-18

Did you notice all the references to “stand”? In Jesus and His strength and power, we can “stand ….withstand ….stand” in the power and truth of who Jesus is! And just so we can make it useable, let’s rehearse what we learn about HIS care and provision for we who belong to HIM! We need to recognize Paul’s clarity in making it clear that we “wrestle”—he didn’t say if, he said, “we wrestle”, not in our own power, but rather the power of God, through Jesus Christ, with the “whole armour of God” about us!

We are called to stand in it, with confidence that with HIS armor on, we will be able to “withstand in the evil day”—and my friends we are there! So suit up and let’s press on with our confidence in our who provides HIS armor to us:

The—

belt of truth—

Jesus IS “the truth”, John 14:6—

breastplate of righteousness—

Jesus’ righteousness imparted to us, 2 Cor. 5:21–

shoes of the Gospel of Peace–

Jesus IS our peace, Romans 5:1-8

shield of faith—

faith in HIS blood, Romans 3:25

helmet of salvation—

Jesus IS our salvation, Acts 4:12

sword of the Spirit/Word of God—

Jesus IS The Word—

The written Word,

The spoken Word,

The living Word, John 1:1-5

So whatever you are facing, my friend, God has you, the problem and the solution in HIS hands! You can rest in Him, trust in Him, and walk in victory with Him, having the “armour of God” as your spiritual wardrobe!!! I pray that this will encourage you today as it does me continually; I also pray God’s wisdom, grace and blessings on your week. Amen and Amen!