I made a trip to Peru with a christian organization that was providing training for poor Peruvian pastors. We had some free time between sessions, so we had the chance to take in some cultural activities. One of the events was an upcoming National Futebol Championship. For those who are not aware, “futebol” is a big thing for Latin Americans. Here in the U.S.A. we call it soccer.
The four of us Americans had never been to a professional soccer game. The idea seemed exciting, so we asked Willy, our guide, to try to get tickets to the game for us. Willy managed to buy those tickets for us, so on the appointed day we went to the stadium to watch the game.
Almost immediately upon arriving, we recognized that something was wrong. The crowds were in turmoil. A man standing near to me had a newspaper folded under his arm. Within the fold was a pistol.
Willy quickly questioned someone about what was going on. He found out that someone(s) had counterfeited tickets. Many more tickets were circulating than the stadium had seats. Many people with real tickets could not get in. Others, who thought they had real tickets couldn’t get in either. Naturally tempers flared, fights started, and near riot conditions surrounded us.
The authorities were notified and suddenly there were wheeled tank-like vehicles zooming around and spraying the crowds with their water-cannon nozzles. People were pushed back. People were knocked down. People were running for safety. We should have left the scene, but it was all so fascinating to watch. Then the tank-like vehicle turned toward us. It came straight at us. We were doomed. There was a large palm tree near us and our group of five people lined up, one behind the other, in single file behind the tree. The blast of water hit the tree full force, splattering out to the sides. Not one of us got hit. Not one of us got wet. However, we immediately departed afterwards.
Sometimes in the situations we face in living, we need something to hide behind. David said in Psalm 7:1, “O Lord my God, in You I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and deliver me.” Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” And Ephesians 6:16 reminds us that the evil one is seeking to destroy us. Look at what it says, “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.”
In Peru, we hid behind a tree, using it as a shield, to be protected from a water cannon that sought to flatten us. That was a physical protection. The shield of faith is a spiritual protection from Satan’s attempt to destroy us. Faith in Christ is a place of refuge where we can hide in safety from the fiery darts of Satan. Use it!
– Just a Thought Dale Fillmore is lead pastor at New Day Church.
