your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
Ephesians 6:11 (NIV)
Summer and softball go hand in hand and this year was no different. My granddaughter’s team competed in different towns so traveling twice a week was always on the agenda along with several practices.
And as they practiced, team members were switched around to different positions to determine the best position for each player. Catcher was the unanimous choice of the toughest spot on a softball team. Here’s why:
The catcher is in a kneeling or squatting position every inning. She’s also part of almost every play that is made because she is either catching the ball pitched to her, throwing it to second base to try to get a runner tagged out or anticipating a play at home plate that will keep the other team from scoring.
If that’s not enough, she wears several pounds of equipment, including a helmet, chest pads, shin guards and cleats. Someone who is not a fan of softball might wonder why the need for several pounds of equipment for one player.
But the answer is clear: every piece of the equipment she wears – though at times bulky and hot – provides her with physical protection from anything that might happen during a game.
Ephesians 6:11 also talks about protection, but instead of physical safety that is needed during a softball game, Paul is addressing spiritual protection in our lives every day as we battle Satan. The enemy never tires of constantly throwing everything he has at us to try to inflict damage to us spiritually.
Paul continues through verse 18 to describe our armor – our protection. He tells us to stand strong against Satan by putting on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the readiness of the gospel on our feet, a shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit (the word of God). And then he encourages us to always be watching for spiritual attacks through prayer.
In other words, we must always have our armor on to be prepared for what will most definitely come our way. Just as a softball catcher can get hurt badly without her protective armor, so it is with Christians who do not put on the armor of God every single day.
And what might come your way spiritually? Let’s see: lying, stealing from a job, gossip about a co-worker, an affair, lust, greed, laziness and pride – just to name a few things. But thankfully our protection is found in the word of God as well as forgiveness, grace and mercy.
If you are ever a catcher for a softball game, I hope that you never forget your protective gear but I pray you always remember the armor of God for everything you do!
Father, may I be reminded to begin each day by putting on your armor to protect me from the attacks of Satan. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
R.A.P. it up . . .
Reflect
Have you ever been a catcher when playing a ball game and neglected to wear all the gear needed?
Did you get injured because you had forgotten to wear your protective equipment?
Apply
Journal Ephesians 6:13-18 and memorize it.
Every morning when you wake up, share that Scripture with the Lord and mentally put each piece of armor on in your mind and heart.
Power
Ephesians 6:11 (NIV) “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
I Thessalonians 5:8 (NIV) “But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”
Isaiah 11:5 (NIV) “Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.”
(For more of Nancy Hughes' writing, check out her blog Encouragement from the War Room.)
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