Ephesians 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
My husband and I love to watch detective, suspense shows, and movies. Our favorite detective TV shows are or have been: NCIS, Blue Bloods, and 24. Whenever there is a situation of danger and protection is needed involving a police chase, or task force chase of a criminal in pursuit, the head officer commands: “Secure the perimeter” to the team squad. Then once all team responders are in position, the head officer reports back to his commander: “Perimeter secured!”
I need to prepare for each new day God has given me. I need to be armed for the battle ahead. As I was eating breakfast at a hotel this week, outside, looking at their hedge of flowers that served as a fence around the property, this brought to mind another visual picture of how I need to “secure the perimeter” by putting on the armor of God, as described in Ephesians 6:12-18. Memorizing and being in God’s Word daily is the ammunition requirement to help me stand firm and be strong in the Lord no matter what hits me. I have to put on my spiritual armor. Then being in prayer causes the armor of God to function. Prayer is what activates the armor.
Last week my husband and I were suddenly woken up at about 3:00 AM. There was an awful high pitched and shrill screeching sound outside in our back yard. It was frightening. We both got up and turned on our back yard light. There were two raccoons, fighting, and rolling on the ground in-between two of our rose bushes. What a site! Steve thought they probably had a possum or rat caught between the two of them and were battling who would be the winner. At last one of the raccoons got up and jumped up our back wall and into the neighbor’s tree. The other raccoon climbed into one of our rose bushes. We then went back to bed. But the picture of this scene stuck out in my mind. It was another visual picture of Ephesians 6: 12-18. I must daily activate my spiritual armor with prayer in being ready to wrestle any relationship struggles, health challenges, chaos in my work day, irritations of life, and my to do list for the day. I need to “secure the perimeter” of my day by spending one on one time with God from reading and meditating on His Word of truth, and spending time in prayer.
Have you asked God what He wants you to know, from what you have read from His word today? Have you asked Him to speak to you and give you direction?
God already has divine appointments designed just for you, and just for me today. God is our: shield, defender, overseer, refuge, almighty Father, light, strength, the great I AM, all knowing, ever present, unchangeable, our all sufficiency, a rewarder of those that seek Him, and so much more!
Tomorrow morning (mornings just work best for me) when I have my devotions, my God, and I time, I will be “securing the perimeter” for my day ahead of me. I will wear the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes with the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. I always end my morning devotions time with God, by praying for what I am writing down in my prayer request journal for that day. Then, I can say: “God, the perimeter is secured!”
Have you secured your perimeter for today?
Listen to Steve Curtis Chapman’s “Warrior” song: