Does God provide protection?
The answer is a resounding YES! From JAP, learn about the armor God provides everyday.
We face an invisible, reckless enemy, the devil who wants to rob us of our rights as God’s heirs (Romans 8:17). “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).
How do we defeat such evil? God has given us armor to stand firm against any of Satan’s onslaughts of fear, sickness, or clouds of despair. We have the belt of truth buckled around our waist, and the breastplate of righteousness. Our feet are fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace. In addition, we have the shield of faith to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one, as we wear the helmet of salvation, and carry the sword of the Spirit, praying on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Ephesians 6:13-18).
And, our Lord promises never to leave one of His warriors alone on the battlefield, as the power of the Holy Spirit living in us gives words to fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel (vs. 19). How can we ever fail as that power, and the light of Jesus Christ radiates from us! But still, we must be alert for “our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8) as he offers enticing opportunities to draw us back into his domain, temptations of an unhealthy menu of forbidden fruits that seemed so fulfilling, but that actually brought pain.
So, may we never be afraid to follow our Lord Jesus Christ, the One who saved us from God’s wrath as we follow our appointed journey to our final reward – eternity to be spent with our God of unlimited authority and beauty!
After all, did He not design heaven as an eternal resting place for every devoted child adopted into His family?