Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord
and in the power of His might.
Put on the whole armour of God
that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world,
against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God,
that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore,
having your loins girt about with truth,
and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith,
wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,
and watching thereunto
with all perseverance and supplication
for all saints;
Ephesians 6.10-17
These verses have been a blessing to me in this past year as our son, Timothy – a missionary in Ghana, has been facing many oppositions from the enemy. Learning to trust God in adversity has been a blessing throughout my adult life and certainly I have come to see that had it not been the Lord who was *on my side* I would have been swallowed up in discouragement, fear and doubt. But God. But God has been merciful and of great comfort and strength for the day.
I know I can trust the Lord for whatever comes and that assurance is fortified each time we face a trial or a testing or sickness or loss or whatever. God is only good, only faithful. Learning more and more to trust the Lord with anything that concerns me has been such a blessing and has carried me through. So, that’s why I add — testings of faith — to the list of thirty things I am thankful for in my fiftieth year. (And I will write about some specific testings of faith in a bit)
Because of the faithful, merciful and perfect will of the Lord, I can truly and honestly say that I would rather have my boy in the Hand of the Lord anywhere in the world — than nearby wandering or outside the will of the Lord.
Safety is in the Hand of the Lord.
Today is Timothy’s Birthday – Blessed be the Name of the Lord.
Pamela,
I so love reading your favorite things… the swimming pool story was wonderful. Thanks for sharing it. I enjoy reading about the perspective of a fifty year old woman who has had a good-sized family. The Space Needle post was also a treat to read. What a great idea, to have everyone who has turned 18 at that special meal. I will remember that!
Jennifer (with only six right now!)
Oh, this is SO fun! I did this with my children in a local river and they will never forget it! My brother caught wind of it and I got the funniest birthday card! It was with 2 boys and their inner tubes jumping into a lake with some whitty saying. I am glad you did that, and hope you do it again this summer! It will keep us young!