Written by the wise 84 yr old Robert VanHoose…

June 30 Read Ephesians 6:10-20, Psalm 34

                       “Are You a Door Knocker Downer?”

“We use God’s mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the devil’s strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:4 NLT

The disciples had a lot to learn about knocking down obstacles. Peter cut off the ear of one who was going to arrest Jesus. Luke 9:53 tells of James and John wanting to bring down fire from heaven and burn up a Samaritan village because they would not receive Jesus.

David had ample opportunities to end Saul’s pursuit and persecution of him, but would not lay a hand on God’s anointed one, but put to death the one that did. We are all greatly blessed by the Psalms David wrote while hiding out and fleeing the unjust persecution and attempts to kill him.

Before we respond to anything by over reacting or reacting to anything without our brains fully loaded, we can learn a lot from David about the rewards of long suffering and patience. He was “the man after God’s own heart”.

A lot of problems need to be left alone and given a chance to work themselves out. Premature rushes to judgment or over reaction often provide fuel for a fire that would otherwise soon burn out. A short fuse is dangerous in fireworks and in life.

God’s “mighty weapons” of truth, righteousness, the Good News, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer somehow don’t seem all that powerful to our finite minds, but we live in a kingdom that has been built and is being built with them.

Oh that God would give us wisdom and spiritual discernment to know when to speak and when to remain silent, how to react without over reacting, and how to be proactive in fulfilling the Great Commission and tearing down the walls of hate and prejudice.

Father, keep me from rash responses and actions. In Jesus’ name, Amen