Protected for the Battles Ahead

Happy Monday to our CFC Family;

Happy Monday to our CFC Family;

For those of us living in Manitoba, I’m sure we all have appreciated how unusually mild the month of November has been this year. The temperatures have been mostly above freezing during the day and even now, we haven’t seen much snow that really stayed. But anyone who has lived here long enough knows what’s coming! Those sudden, biting

prairie winds and frost that we are so familiar with are guaranteed to be arriving any day now!

Last week, I decided to prepare my lilac bushes for the onslaught of winter. Being newly planted this past spring and still being small saplings,I decided to carefully wrap them with burlap for the winter ahead. Still being small and tender, I wanted to make sure they were protected—not only from the cold, but also from the ever-hungry rabbits, who might think I’m offering them a free winter’s food supply.

As I wrapped the burlap snugly around each plant, I pictured the snow piling up around them in the weeks to come. And yet, with their little winter armor in place, I knew that I did everything that I could to keep them safe and shielded from frost, wind, and nibbling predators until spring’s warmth finally returns to our corner of the world.

And isn’t that a wonderful picture of our spiritual lives? Just as the lilacs need protection from frost and predators, each of us face battles we cannot always see—attacks from the enemy, temptations, and trials. As I mentioned yesterday in the message, we are called to press forward in God’s kingdom, knocking down the gates of hell and reclaiming what the enemy seeks to steal from us. But here is the comforting truth: we are never left unprotected. Just as the burlap shields my bushes, God covers us with His faithful care.

Psalm 91:4 reminds us, “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

Isaiah 54:17 assures us that; “No weapon formed against you shall prosper,”

And Paul tells us in 2 Thessalonians 3:3 declares, “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”

As I mention yesterday in my message, we are all called as believers to live “Offensively” in the Kingdom of God! Boldly advancing His purposes and overcoming the enemy with the authority that God has provided for us! Yet in all of this “warfare” be assured, that those who trust Him are never alone and are always under His protection. That although we are called to never retreat, and to always press forward for His Kingdom, we can be confident in knowing that it is His armor that will completely envelop us with His protection.

May I encourage each of you to let His Holy Spirit wrap His loving arms around you today, and rest in the promise that, just as the coldest winter eventually gives way to spring, the trials and darkness that will come against you time and time again in your life will one day bloom into new life and joy.

Question: What areas of your life is God calling you to move forward boldly, knowing He has already surrounded you with His armor?

Have a wonderful week and we’ll see you Sunday!

Pastor Dan