You know, every day I try to take part of my prayer time to just listen for God to communicate His words or thoughts to me...After all, listening to Him is the essence of prayer itself. Sometimes I hear from Him during that time, but often, I don't. However, later in the day, I may be involved in some totally different secular activity when all of a sudden I hear His "still, small voice" in my spirit from out of the blue.
Case in point: I was driving down the interstate highway today when I passed a small Army military convoy heading in the same direction as I. I used to be in the Army back in the early 70's, so when I see one of these convoys I like to take notice of the vehicles to see how they have changed, improved and adapted over the years; often, I see totally new vehicles that have evolved as a result of the different types of challenges that evolving warfare has presented in different theaters of conflict around the world. Today I noticed, in particular, the armored cars (squad vehicles) in the convoy and how they have evolved from the old armored halftracks and unprotected jeeps of my days in the Army, largely due to the insidious IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) and roadside bombs that have wreaked so much havoc and death against our troops in such places as Iraq and Afghanistan. I was considering things like the thickness of the glass windows and armor plates, the bulk of the specialized tires and the low, squat profile of the vehicles themselves. Even the color of the camouflaged schemes were different, as olive and dark green patterns had given way to sandy tan and light brown hues to deal with reducing the profile of these vehicles as they operated in the near east Arab countries with their desolate terrains and sandy topographies. I was considering the genesis and evolution of our machines and weapons of war in the effort to try and stay ahead of the ever-changing attempts of our enemies to neutralize the effectiveness of our forces when all of a sudden, I heard His voice speaking to my spirit! He began telling me that His weapons and armor for warfare, unlike our Armed forces' and those of our enemies, have not changed or lost their effectiveness since He gave them to us over 2,000 years ago when He gave us the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, even while the Enemy has done his best to modernize his forces and weapons of destruction over the centuries, even up to today. His "medieval" belt, breastplate, shoes, helmet, shield and sword are still every bit effective and superior against the weapons and armor of both our ancient and our modern day mortal and spiritual enemies, including satan himself! Wow...what a word of reassurance!
As soon as I got to my destination, I pulled out my Bible and looked up Ephesians 6 to remind myself of the armor and the weapon that Paul advised us to don. Here is that passage:
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 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— and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (NKJB Eph 6:10-20)
Hope the account of this little encounter lifts your spirit and strengthens your hope as much as it has mine. By the way, you don't have to take off the armor to sleep or take a shower; it's rust proof and very comfortable to wear all the time.
Be blessed, and have a Gr8 Day!
Your Brother in Christ,
MarkMc
The Prayer Directed Life
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