Our First Line of Defense

My blog inspiration for this day is slow in coming, Soon the creative juices start to flow. It starts with an annoying, over-sized, buzzing horse fly that overflew his bounds since the night before. I attempt tactical warfare — swatting and spraying – but the beast lives on.

Then, while sitting at my desk, he has the nerve to land on me. I think: “This is one of satan’s little imps on assignment to steal my joy and annoy me!” He, obviously, doesn’t know I am in “beast-mode” after all the faith-filled injections of God’s Word as I write my blogs. I grab my trusty flying insect spray and nail him. He is down for the count! Victory!

Now, it is time to head out for a 9:30 am appointment to take my car in for body work. Oh. This is one that I didn’t blog about. I am so transparent with my life that my readers know just about every one of my days and its activities. Someone must have backed into me or fronted into me, because I have a big dent/gash on my front right side. Ugh! I never even noticed it until I washed my car and was drying it.

I get to the body shop and hand my little “jewel” over to them. A rental car company picked me up to get the car I’ve rented. But, alas, I forgot to get my gate code tag and toll tag in my car and must go back to get it. At the rental car business, they insist I take the Infinity X80 SUV. I get in it and, yes, it’s plush, but big enough for a baseball team. I turn around and ask for a slimmer, smaller vehicle and I’m on my merry way!

But, then I realize I left my USB cord in my car and have to go back to the body shop to get it. Finally, I’m back at home and I sit down for my morning devotion and prayer time and I get a heaven-to-earth revelation. I remember our “first line of defense” when annoyances and troubles come. Jesus used it for those who approached Him for healing or help.

Mark 5 — the story of Jairus, a synagogue leader, who came to Jesus begging Him to come and heal his dying daughter. After the interruption of a crowd and a woman with an issue of blood for 12 years who was healed as she touched the hem of His garment, Jairus and Jesus were on their way again.

But Jairus was met by people who said: “Don’t bother the Teacher – your daughter is dead!” Before Jairus could say a word, Jesus abruptly said: “Do not fear – only believe!” The first line of defense. The little girl was healed.

An “aha” hits me. My enemy is like (not is) a roaring lion seeking who he can devour. He is out to annoy me and steal my joy and eat up my peace. I am writing this blog in the late afternoon AFTER my devotion. AFTER my sweet prayer time. AFTER hearing God’s voice: “You are more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus!”

If I had fueled up on God’s powerful octane (His Word) and suited up in my full armor of God, maybe I wouldn’t have encountered so many detours, but on the other hand, maybe I would have encountered them anyway. God is still working on me and sometimes He lets a little dart from the enemy target me. It wakes me up to “soldier” up!

Each day is an opportunity to apply our “first line of defense” John 14:27 ointment. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

How annoying our arch-enemy can be. But, when we use the right plan of attack on him, he and all his tactics to “steal, kill and destroy” (John 10:10) will be swatted and lamblasted out of our lives. Remember. Jesus and I told you so: “Do not fear; only believe!”