Today is a Day of Battle

"O LORD, my Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle" (Psalm 140:7).

Today is a day of battle. There is no visible enemy pursuing me, no sounds of gunshots or clanging swords or horses' hooves. But the invisible war rages--the war for my heart.

In the end, Jesus wins; He is the Conquering King and I am His. But in the meantime, the Enemy is bloodthirsty and desperate to win as many battles as possible before his certain demise. He wants to see me stumble and fall today. He wants me to resent the demands of mothering and withdraw from my kids. He wants me to indulge every craving my flesh conceives and rest all day with brief periods of work. He wants me to think first of ME, ME, ME. He doesn't care how many gifts I list in my gratitude journal, if he can get me to be absorbed with the temporal blessings and not move to adoration of the generous Giver of these gifts.

Today is a day of battle. But God has covered my head in the day of battle. He gives me the helmet of salvation (Ephesians 6:17). He saw that I was helpless and hopeless on my own, and His own arm brought him salvation (Isaiah 59:16). I have a Redeemer who is triumphantly reigning on a throne of grace! In this day of battle, I have a Source of strength in my weakness. I can take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). Because Jesus loved me, I can love Him with my mind.

So I am putting on the helmet of salvation this morning. I am putting on Christ. In Him, God covers my head in the day of battle. HE is the strength of my salvation. And His Word promises that although the Enemy will make war against Him and against me, "the Lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings--and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers" (Revelation 17:14).