“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16
“WHY?” was the question being discussed when I walked into the room. I was late due to a Doctors Appointment. The event was our Church’s JYC ministry at the local Middle School where about a dozen kids gather each week to devour junk food and learn God’s Word. One student had asked why so many bad things happen to us if God exists and loves us. MY kid was answering the question!
It’s not like the question hasn’t been asked MANY times, by EVERY person who ever walked this planet! It has, because satan makes SURE of it! Being the enemy of God, anything satan can do to create doubt about God’s love and care becomes a fiery arrow that can take out God’s followers. But God has a tool for that! It’s called the Shield of Faith and, IF USED, it is VERY effective!
It was during the lesson that several of the volunteers received a text from Galen. Galen is a former Army Ranger who goes to our church. Having 1 stump, and the other an infected leg causing him pain, he was returning with his wife from HIS Doctor’s appointment. He let us know that nothing more can be done than to remove his 2nd leg. Surgery is scheduled for April 24th.
It’s times like this where questions can become roadblocks … and magical, mystical type belief can easily disappear. But God is not a God of magic or mystery. Real fiery arrows require real defenses in order to be extinguished. Because God IS All Powerful, He provides the tools and defenses necessary for His Soldiers to stand. Just not usually the way we see them arrive in the movies!
Disney and Macy’s use the word ‘Believe’ as a kind of ‘power of positive thinking.’ That kind of faith can get one killed! The Faith God gives, and expects to see from us, is more real than food, bigger than Mt. Everest and deeper than the Pacific. It lives, acts, steps out, and remains LONG past any visitation of evil or unwelcome news. It is His Word, written down and there to learn to hold on to.
Knowing Galen and Paula as long as we have, we know they know Jesus. And not only do they KNOW Him, they WALK with Him. And while the news of yesterday may be inconvenient and painful, I already am looking forward to having Galen roll into that classroom in his wheelchair to demonstrate the Power God offers in pain and difficulty. Then… explanations will not be necessary.
What areas of difficulty are YOU facing? Are you grabbing onto the shield of Faith by knowing and standing on God’s Words?
