Rev. Ray and Pat Amos
Instructions to Take the Shield of Faith
We hid behind a fence and planned the attack. There were several of them and only two of us, but we were bigger than they were. The plan was that on the count of three we would unleash our artillery of rocks and then run like the wind. The rocks were right on target and wow did we ever make them mad. They were faster than we expected, and they chased us down like hounds on a hunt. They caught up to my cousin and I heard him yell out in pain. I could turn back to help him or keep on going. I decided to keep on going, but it was too late; the hornets found me.
“They surrounded me like bees, like a fire of thorns.” (Psalm 118:12)
In the early days of ministry, I learned a great deal from older pastors. We heard many parables from the experience of those faithful shepherds. One that I remember was, “If you know that it’s a hornet nest, don’t stick your fingers in it.” Ignoring advice like that has led folks to many unnecessary painful experiences.
Sometimes we ask for trouble, but we also have had days when it seems to come from nowhere. Suddenly we are swatting at life’s bees while wondering, “Why.”
Paul instructed us to take the shield of faith that we might be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked. Unless we do, we may allow life’s aggravations and pains to destroy us. “This too shall pass” is not a scripture, but we know it will pass, and that it will also work for the good to those who love God.
“It was such a lovely day,
And the sun was shining bright.
A gentle breeze was blowing my way,
Not a storm cloud in sight.
Then suddenly without a warning,
A storm surrounded my life.
But even in the storm,
I can feel the calm,
And here’s the reason why
I know the Peace-speaker…
Jesus is his name.”
Grace and Peace, Rev Ray
