Posted on 09/22/2023 4:31:14 AM PDT by metmom
"Take the helmet of salvation" (Eph. 6:17).
Your helmet of salvation protects you from discouragement and despair.
We've seen how Satan attacks believers with his two-edged sword of doubt and discouragement. But he doesn't stop there. He tries to take you beyond discouragement to despair by robbing you of hope. Unless you're careful, his attacks will be successful when you're battle-weary.
The prophet Elijah is an illustration of that truth. The highlight of his ministry came atop Mount Carmel, where he slew 450 prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:40). Yet immediately after that great victory, he fled for his life because Queen Jezebel threatened to kill him (1 Kings 19:1- 3).
He ran from Mount Carmel into the wilderness of Beersheba, where he "sat down under a juniper tree; and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, 'It is enough; now, O Lord, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers'" (v. 4). He went on to moan, "I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, torn down Thine altars and killed Thy prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away" (v. 10).
Elijah lost hope because he failed to see his circumstances through the eyes of faith; he was attempting to fight the battle on his own. He allowed himself to become emotionally, physically, and spiritually spent, and became overwhelmed with self-pity. He felt utterly alone.
But God hadn't abandoned Elijah. He was still in control and His people were numerous (v. 18). But Elijah had, in effect, removed his helmet of salvation and received a near-fatal blow to his confidence in God's blessing on his life.
There may be times when, like Elijah, you lose your confidence and doubt God's faithfulness. At such times, putting on the helmet of salvation means taking your eyes off your circumstances and trusting in God's promises. You may not always sense His presence or understand what He's doing, but be assured He will never leave you or forsake you (Heb. 13:5) and His purposes will always be accomplished (Rom. 8:28).
Suggestions for Prayer
Praise God for His unchanging character and irrevocable promises.
For Further Study
Read Isaiah 40:29-31 and Galatians 6:9.
What promises are given in those passages?
In what specific ways do they apply to your life?
From Drawing Near by John MacArthur Copyright © 1993. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.
Studying God’s Word ping
I’m not a fan of tattoos, but this should be engraved into everyone’s eyelids.
This is not a call to be ignorant or Pollyanna, but it IS that most comforting of firewalls.
Thank you for posting this.
At such times, putting on the helmet of salvation means taking your eyes off your circumstances and trusting in God’s promises.
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Matthew 14:22-31
And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Putting on the helmet means coming to understand that we have work to do for the lord, and determining to do it to our fullest whatever work that might be ie being a father, mother, janitor, teacher, street corner preacher etc. Getting rid of despair happens when we set our eyes on serving God in whatever capacity he would have us serve. Do all as unto the lord- despair will melt away. The 9nly way it will reappear is when we start to focus on self again and start to lament about how things are.
That way we aren't judging our value by the world's standards which often tell us that we aren't good enough.
Exactly.
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