i am for peace

"I am for peace; But when I speak, they are for war." (Psalm 120:7) 

The current political climate stresses me out. 

i've been called racist by a friend who said she didn't have any African American friends. i said that i had many black friends. Oops! You can't say black. 

You can say, "African Dust." But you can't say, "Chinese or Wuhan Virus." 

And in describing a person in order for someone to recognize him/her, you can say "tall, glasses, male." But you can't say black, hispanic or white. 

You can’t say, “transgender.” You can only say female. Or male.

And if you mention any beliefs or thoughts, such as your faith and patriotism, then you are a racist.

This is nonsense. People are deceived.

So i remind myself every day that we don’t wrestle against flesh and blood, but against satan and his evil angels. (Ephesians 6:12)

And even though we are flesh, we don’t war according to the flesh. (2Corinthians 10:3)

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds…” (2Corinthians 10:4”

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints…” (Ephesians 6:13-18)

i always believed that our only offensive weapon was the Word, our sword. And it is true that satan and his minions cannot stand against it. So it’s imperative that we memorize it and have it in our hearts so that it comes out when we are “squeezed” by horrific circumstances.

BUT i never noticed this until today – Paul writes, ABOVE ALL, TAKE THE SHIELD OF FAITH BECAUSE IT PROTECTS FROM ALL THE FIERY DARTS OF THE WICKED ONE. 

In Paul’s time, the Roman shield was huge, protecting the whole man. It was worn strapped to the soldier’s arm to deflect attacks. BUT, it was also used as an offensive weapon to knock enemies over with force!

And that leads me to, “What is faith?”

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” 

To have faith is to believe God sent His only Son to die for our sins so we might have eternal life.

Our faith guards us during battles and trials as a shield would during battle. Applied - our faith can protects us from people’s comments as well as fear and anxiety. Faith also enables us to love the unlovable and pray for them, instead of judging.

And finally, the God of the Universe, Who knows the end from the beginning says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand.” (Isaiah 41:10) 

God loves you with an everlasting love. Receive His love, protection and peace by faith.