Blisters and Leaves

 

        Today was our annual family 'leave raking' day.  It's a big effort as we have about an acre of tree covered land- and we wait until most of the leaves are off the trees to do it.  We don't bother bagging them as it would cost a small fortune to buy that many bags, and we don't use a wheelbarrow to transport them to the back compost pile because that would mean far too many trips.  Instead, we use a large tarp, pile it high, and drag it to our compost to dump.  Even then, there are many trips.

 

        Of course to start off we have to rake the leaves into big piles.  This year I remembered to begin raking by wearing gloves.  Usually I forget until I the first blister burns my hand as I rake which reminds me to late to wear protective gloves.   So I didn't get any blisters and surprisingly, my hands aren't as sore- bonus!

 

       It is important for us to wear protection when doing certain jobs to keep our sight, hearing, health...  and that is why there is protective equipment.  The Bible also speaks about protective gear.  We have a job to do on this earth for the Lord, but He has also provided protective equipment for us.

 

Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the wiles (trickery, deceit) of the devil.

Therefore stand, having your loins girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.  Above all, take the shield of faith, with which you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  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, and watching to this very thing with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. Ep. 6:11,14-18

 

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Loins girt with truth:  ...I am the way, the truth, and the life... Jh. 14:6
Breastplate of righteousness:  ...And this is His name by which He shall be called, JEHOVAH, OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Jr. 23:6
Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace: For He is our peace... Ep. 2:14
Shield of faith: so that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 1Cr. 2:5
Helmet of salvation: (metaphorically protects soul) ...the implanted Word, which is able to save your souls.

                                                                                 Jm. 1:21
Sword of the Spirit:  (...the Word)  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Jh. 1:1 (also v.14)

 

       This is not meant to be a teaching on what each piece of protective equipment means or how to use them, but rather to remind us where our protection actually comes from- the Lord our Savior and God.  He protects us as a shepherd protects his flock, as a Father protects his children, as a husband protects his bride.  So He gives us Himself (and the protective equipment we need) to stand against and oppose the enemy in this wicked world.

 

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the world's rulers, of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Therefore take to yourselves the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand (resist, oppose) in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ep. 6:12,13

 

Lord, thank You that You are our protection where ever we may go...

 

 

I will lie down, both in peace and in sleep.
For You alone, Jehovah, make me dwell in safety.Ps. 4:8