Law
and Order
Tails from the Farm
2 Timothy 2:3, 4 Endure hardships with us like a good soldier of Christ
Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he
wants to please his commanding officer.
If you drive around out here, you will
be guaranteed to see different groups of cattle. They are one of the main
farming pursuits in Western Oklahoma. You could talk to almost any farmer or
rancher and they’ll most like say the same thing. They love taking care
of herds of cattle. Most herds include raising babies with a group of momma
cows. And hopefully, a nice bull. Regardless of their temperament, bulls
always demand one’s attention. I’ll never forget my dad teaching
us, “You always respect a bull. Always.” A good bull is
the law and order of a cow and calf herd.
We have several friends who serve our
state in law enforcement. We were explaining to our children the other night
that someone who guards and protects others as a profession takes his position
very seriously. Even if they are eating Thanksgiving dinner, they are always
on guard. You can’t take them off guard. They’re trained and
ready to respond at a moment’s notice. Our friend who recently got back
from Iraq had an experience where he heard a balloon pop as his wife was
getting ready for their son’s birthday party. He instantly pulled and
cocked his gun, even in his own house, with his own family. Responding at a
moment’s notice is always life and death.
Our heads are in the sand if we do not
see and sense that we are at critical mass in this country. Evil is lurking at
every corner, and righteousness is fading from our actions and words as a
whole. But God is not surprised. He’s always been for the underdog.
And He’s very good at surprises. He knows who the real enemy is and we
must know, too. Our war is not with flesh and blood. If you’ve never
seen it this way before, take a moment to register these words and react. Put
on the full armor of God and stand your ground. Pray, stay alert, and strive
to please our Commanding Officer. Rest assured, He will establish law
and order like we’ve never had before.
Jennifer
Biblical Meditation: Ephesians 6:11-13 Put on the full armor of
God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our
struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the
authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual
forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 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.