Out the window everything looks the same. The sun is still rising and the are flowers still blooming and yet everything feels different.

As I drove to the grocery store yesterday, I mentally prepared. Normally as I drive, I am running through the things I need to buy. During this drive my checklist had changed. “Don’t touch your face. Use sanitizer wipes on the cart. Don’t pick up your phone until after you use hand sanitizer..” I found myself going through the mental checklist to prepare for the invisible danger that could be hiding in the grocery store. Covid-19 is a present and real danger and yet it is invisible. It could be lurking everywhere we turn and it might be nowhere near us. We should take actions of protection and yet we have no control over the outcome of the real danger.

As I prepared for this invisible enemy my thoughts went to Ephesians 6:10-18, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

The Bible gives us a checklist to prepare for an invisible enemy. No, it is not the same checklist nor does this mean we throw out the sanitation checklist.
However, in this passage, I am reminded that every day I face dangers that I don’t see. It gives me the wisdom of how to protect myself.

In a world that feels uncertain, in a world that is full of invisible dangers, we can arm ourselves against the devil’s schemes. He schemes to take our eyes off God and put our trust in things like correct hand washing and shopping procedures. I’m not saying don’t do the smart things to keep you and your family protected. I am encouraging you to let our needs and our insecurities invite us to trust Jesus instead of running to fear or trusting ourselves.

Yes, we take precautions. Keep wiping the cart. Stay home when you can. Keep washing your hands. But above all put on the full armor of God. Keep putting on the belt of truth. Bind around yourself that God is good. God is trustworthy. We do not need to fear. Hold up the shield of faith in the one who is faithful.

What truths are you preaching over yourself and your people as you put on the belt of truth and hold up the shield of faith today? What characteristics of God are you clinging to in faith as a shield over your heart and life?

Praying for you. Let’s hold the shield together. Our God is on the throne.