Every
October leaves begin to fall from the tress as the they prepare themselves for
the long winter. As people rake those
leaves they often place them in large yard-waste bags. Many people think the leaves are
useless those bags of leaves find their way to the local refuse
dump. However, leaves serve a wonderful
purpose—they provide insulation from the cold winter. The leaves have insulating value and are often used to cover tender shrubs and plants that need extra
protection over the long cold winter months.You and I are like those tender shrubs and plants. We need divine protection from Satan who would love to get us to fall into sin. The Apostle Peter exhorts us to “Be self-controlled and alert” (I Peter 5:8). Why be alert? Peter goes on to give the reason, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8). But how can we resist Satan and his advances? It is the Apostle Paul who gives us the formula when he says, “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” (Ephesians 6:13).
It is God himself through the armor that He provides that protects us from destruction. As you look at the leaves this fall, and as you see bags of leaves bundled up at homes in your neighborhood, let your mind turn to God. Thank Him for the “bags of blessings” that He gives to you. Thank God for protecting you from the evil one. And don’t forget to put on the full armor of God so the protection God provides does its work in your life.
