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The Swiss Army Knife

When I was a kid, this knife was the holy grail of all knives. With this, a kid could envision concurring any imaginable challenge. You could overcome all obstacles that life could possibly throw at you. Just feast your eyes on this marvel of Swiss engineering. Tools and weapons bristling out of both sides of the sturdy case and do not forget the handy toothpick securely lodged at the end of the case. Yes, my friend, you were invincible with one of these babies in your pocket. I can still hear my Dad saying, “Son, every man should have a pocket knife, a pack of matches, change for a dollar, and some breath mints in his pockets.” Words to live by. Thanks, Dad!

BTW – for you younger than 40, the matches allowed you to light your girl’s cigarette. The dollar was there in case you needed to make a phone call (at a pay phone) and the breath mint; well, you can imagine what that might be for. So, as the commercial says, “What’s in your pocket?” To this day, I still carry a pocketknife and breath mints, but let’s switch gears and move to the spiritual realm. Do you have a spiritual Swiss Army Knife in your pocket? Is it forge out of the iron of scripture; inspired by the Holy Spirit and has an edge that will never grow dull and penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12. Does your knife also bring hope and comfort in times of trial and give those who are discouraged a reason to hope in the goodness of God when someone is walking through the valley of death?

In a time of crisis, there is not much time for fumbling through a backpack. Timing is critical. You need to know where your knife is and be able to deploy it quickly. There is no time to waste. Seconds count. Do you have such a weapon? Can you wield it with precision and end a multitude of threats? What’s in your pocket?

Ephesians 6:10-18 gives us a description of how to dress when doing spiritual battle against the devil’s schemes. In the battle kit described, all but one piece of equipment are defensive in nature. There is one that is offensive; the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

While we would agree that all Scripture is profitable in the battle against our foe, we do not always have time to prepare a battle plan. We need to be ready to react to a surprise attack, an ambush. This readiness comes from regular practice to the point where your response is one that we might call, muscle memory. In the heat of battle, you do not have time to grasp about searching for something to defend yourself or others. You need to focus on the enemy, reach into your pocket, withdraw your weapon, and vanquish the enemy of our souls. Are you ready? What scripture can you deploy under pressure? What’s in your pocket?

Below is my weapon of choice. Those of you who know me will not have to read further. We have been together in times of trial. For you who don’t, it is Psalm 139. I am not saying that it is the only section of Scripture to use for times when Satan attacks. Bereans, I am encouraging you to find something in Scripture that you will use when all those around you are looking for hope in times of trial.

One last word. Practice – Practice – Practice…then practice some more. You also might want to keep some breath mints handy.

Pastor Terry B

Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
139 O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.
7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
9 If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,”
12 even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.
13 For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you.
19 Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!
O men of blood, depart from me!
20 They speak against you with malicious intent;
your enemies take your name in vain.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
22 I hate them with complete hatred;
I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
24And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!