Early Sunday morning I received a phone call from my step-son who lives in Richmond. It was 3:30 am, so I knew there must be something wrong. I picked up my phone, and he asked me if I was awake? The reason he asked is that he knows many times from 2:00 am to 4:00 am I am awake. Why, because it is when God wakes me to pray for others. I told him I had been awake earlier, but had fallen back to sleep and asked him what was going on. He then explained gunshots were fired and a bullet came into his apartment. He called the police who had received word that five or six shots had been fired in his neighborhood. He went on to say how the bullet had pierced a two pane sliding glass door leaving a hole and shattered glass all through his apartment. He had fallen asleep on his futon in the living room watching television and was awakened to glass shards flying everywhere. The police came and searched for the bullet, but couldn’t find it. However, after the police had left, he found the bullet on the floor right next to where he was sleeping on the futon. A bullet which could have hit him, but didn’t and I am thankful. The police say it was a random act, but when you are the one in the line of fire, it is scary and becomes personal.
Have you ever been in the line of fire? It may not be gun shots fired at you, but you feel those fiery darts piercing your soul and the hurt associated with them. The enemy loves this tactic. Satan is always looking for those vulnerable spots to hit and wound your soul. Trust me; he wants to make you not only bleed but feel deep pain, anger, and resentment to make you believe God doesn’t care or exist. Satan would love nothing more than for you to cower in fear, disown God, go into hiding and renounce your faith.
As believers, we have to know we are always going to be in the line of fire. People will say and do things, and mock everything we do in the name of Jesus. I’ve been in the line of fire many times by people gossiping about things they know nothing about but believing they know it all. The cruelty of individuals who use words or violence to inflict pain physically or emotionally can take a toll on our human soul. Trust me; I know the pain of being in the line of fire, but certainly not like Job. Job is an example of someone who was not only in the line of fire, but took a direct hit! Job was a God-fearing man who trusted God with every fiber of his being. The enemy took everything Job had including his wealth and all his children in one day. If losing everything Job had wasn’t enough, Job was cursed with boils from head to toe and in extreme pain. Job’s wife even wanted him to curse God and die, but Job wouldn’t do it. Instead, Job told his wife her words were foolish. In Job 2:10, he states, But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
When we are in the line of fire, we tend to forget the sovereignty of God. The same God we praise for His blessings when everything is going right is the same God we are angry at and blame when everything goes wrong. We live in a fallen, sinful world where everyone has free will and the ability to choose which side they are going to be on. This world is Satan’s domain and the only heaven he is ever going to get. This is why every person has been in the line of fire since they have been born.
It is a personal war between Satan and God. Every day the enemy is on the prowl looking for someone to devour including you and me. Satan is looking for someone who will curse God and die, but Job refused and we must too. Satan had done everything to destroy Job except take his life which God would not allow the enemy to do. Job’s suffering was tremendous, but Job kept his integrity and his relationship with God. Suffering is enough to shake anyone’s faith, but it didn’t shake Job’s.
No one ever enjoys being in the line of fire. However, I have learned in my relationship with God it can be good to be in the line of fire because it means you are over the target. Think of it this way, if Satan is leaving you alone chances are it is because you aren’t a threat to him. If the darts are coming in every which way, it is because you ARE a threat to him. To stand strong in the line of fire; you must be equipped. In Ephesians 6:10-18 we are given the Armor of God and the importance of each piece.
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
God never promises us a bed of roses in our walk with him, but God does promise us He will never leave nor forsake us Share on XGod never promises us a bed of roses in our walk with him, but God does promise us He will never leave nor forsake us. We are in the line of fire, but God is our protector. Being a believer doesn’t mean we will not have to suffer, but one thing we will never know is what it’s like to be separated from our Father like Jesus was who willingly stood in the line of fire and took all our sin upon himself. The next time you are in the line of fire and want to give up, remember Jesus loved you enough to take your place in the line of fire and give you eternal life.
Side Note: ( My step-son is moving from his current residence)
What a scary situation but thankful he is safe.
And what a truth…when the devil start attacking it can be scary but we praise God through it knowing He has our souls no matter what!
Kristi,
It was scary, but God has used it in tremendous ways. God has opened doors and has shown love to our son in many ways. We don’t always understand the why, but I’m grateful to know who is in control!
This is so good and I so needed to hear everything you said!!! Been in the line for a very long time all while keeping my mouth shut… Thank you for listening to God on this… I”m also awake every night/ morningat 3 a.m.
Christelle,
It is not easy being in the line of fire, but it is good to know WHO is our protector in the line of fire. Prayer is a beautiful gift from God and when we engage with Him against the forces of evil which permeate this world we become a force to be reckoned with. Our armor may have some dents, but we are still standing strong! Praying for you!
I’m so glad your step-son is okay. The unspoken part of this is how he knew he could call you. Knowing your heart, I have no doubt you were praising the Lord for not only keeping him safe but that he knew you might be up and he felt you were a safe place to share his experience. Awesome!
I have my own very recent near miss I am also in the process of writing about. I’m so thankful we have Jesus always by our side when we’re in the line of fire. Not only the physical line of fire but the spiritual too.
Great article Sheila!
Hi, Toni!
I am waiting to read this! I’m glad you are okay! I am thankful our Jesus never leaves our side and nothing separates us from Him, not even ourselves. Keep your armor on sister! The war is real! Love you!
Ephesians 6 says it all – as long as we put on our spiritual armor every day…
I remember living in a rough community in Chicago. I heard gun shots a few time – one right in front of my home. But I always believed the Lord was protecting and covering me through that season of my life. Don’t you just love God and His faithfulness!
Aleida,
Isn’t is good to know God has our backs? There are times things happen we may not understand, but we can trust the faithfulness of our God. You are right about the seasons of our lives. I have seen His hand upon my life during those seasons and know and believe I am where I am today because of His protection!
What a scary story and what a wake up moment. Really makes me think of how good God is even in the hard places. He does promise never to leave us but still it can feel lonely in those places. Like Julie said, your head knows but your heart is reluctant to follow. Thought provoking post.
Hi, Sheila!
It was very scary. I’m thankful he is okay, but it did get me thinking about how we are truly in the line of fire everyday. When we can expose the lie of the enemy and properly equip ourselves we stand a better chance in that line of fire. It makes me so angry when the enemy tries to take people out by shooting his lies, thoughts, and deceitfulness into their souls! I am thankful God is in the hard places and gives us encouragement through sweet people like you!
I needed that reminder! That God never leaves us! My head knows it, but sometimes my heart doubts. So glad your step-son is unharmed!
Julie,
We all need that reminder. Sometimes we forget whose world we are living in and why the battle is real! Love and miss you friend!