A number of years ago, the US Secret Service observed that a high-ranking government official seemed to be the "least protected" of the cabinet members. So four glass security doors were installed in the official's Washington suite, at the cost of $58,000. They were in addition to a pair of huge, thick wooden doors that were impossible to break down.

Later, when the person who monitors spending checked the results, he noted that the new security doors were "always open and unguarded." So their security value was zero!

I see in this incident a spiritual parallel. The Lord has provided all the armor we need to face every kind of test and temptation. For example, 1 Thessalonians 5:8 speaks of "the breastplate of faith and love." When trouble invades our lives, faith can disarm it. And love keeps difficulty from causing us to turn inward in brooding self-pity. Love focuses our attention on the needs and well-being of others.

The helmet of "the hope of salvation" is the confident anticipation of ultimate rescue, which can keep us from losing our minds in the middle of disorder.

But remember, our defense system is not automatic. God's resources must be used to be useful.  —Mart De Haan II  — Mart De Haan