Ephesians 6:17 Put on salvation as your helmet...
Do we wait for Sunday to remind us that Christ died for us? Or can we use Saturday and other days to prepare for our "proclamation of his death" (I Corinthians 11:26)?
A helmet protects our senses. Senses critical for combat - sight and hearing, to be sure, but also smell and taste, which can warn of toxic weapons - are located in the head. The awareness that we are saved by Christ keeps our senses clear to detect some of the enemy's most subtle weapons - the ones that trick people into following false saviors or losing any hope of salvation at all. These weapons are obviously in use on the Rosebud, where the people are struck down by suicide.
May we use Saturdays to prepare for our Sunday worship, examining our consciences soberly and honestly, thankfully preparing to proclaim and adore the One who saves us from sin and death. May we wear the helmet of salvation constantly in our war against suicide on the Rosebud Reservation.
...and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The Roman sword was a short thing. It was for close combat.
The Bible demands application. We must be "doers of the word, not just hearers." We must take the word of God right up against the enemy.
Let us be diligent in Bible reading. Let us be quick to hear good teaching from the word. And let us apply the word to real life, things seen and unseen.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, tomorrow we celebrate your saving victory on the cross. Help us to use today well, preparing as we should for a feast of word and sacrament. Help us open our hearts to the need of the Rosebud Reservation, so that our ears can hear your sharp word to wield in their support. We pray for clear senses to see the enemy clearly, and for the right word to strike the enemy and break its power on the Rosebud. We pray this in your Name, Lord Jesus. Amen.
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