Weapon malfunction?

Psalm 76:3
There He broke the arrows of the bow, the shield and sword of battle. Selah

I love when the Bible speaks of Jesus’ defeat of the Devil, even in Old Testament writings, in a past tense verb form. Not only does it lend credibility to God’s operations outside of time and omniscience, but it also gives great hope and confidence to the reader.

We live in such a sad world. Everyday the news broadcasts stories and images of death, sorrow, and destruction. We hear reports from the front lines of battle. We hear reports of violent protests in Egypt. We hear reports of disease and sickness. We hear reports of mothers executing their children. Its one bad news story followed immediately by another. Is it any wonder why we live in a society where people are begging to be put on medication to take away the pain? Do we need to ask why we live in a world where men and women desperately seek to mask reality behind drugs and mind-altering substances?

This brings me back to Jesus, back to what counts, back to my security. When I read the Bible, it’s not to look for solutions to my finances or how to better parent my child. No, when I read the Bible I’m seeking to find the Hope that is wrapped throughout the scriptures. I’m seeking to find Jesus, who is, was, and is to come. Jesus Christ, the Prince of peace, the Master Physician, the Healer, Redeemer, Savior, and Friend of sinners! I’m looking for His embrace, His words of encouragement, His security so that I can get through another day. I’m asking Him to tell me, like a father to a child, “It’s going to be all right. I’ll take care of things.”

The best part about seeking is that Jesus has already provided an answer for me to find (Matthew 7:7); it’s one of His promises! Nine times out of ten, when I’m shown something by the Spirit in the Bible, it isn’t some long passage with lots of symbolism and interpretation necessary. Instead it’s simple and straight to the point, just like Psalm 76:3.

No fanfare, no secret codes to figure out here; He broke the arrows and the bow, the shield and sword of battle. What does that mean? He broke the weapons of war that the enemy had to fight us with! Words like this give me the faith and confidence to stand tall and fully accept the promises, all the promises, of God. Why? Not because of me, but because of Jesus. He broke; He disarmed. At the cross, where sin was defeated, where the law was fulfilled, and where restoration took place, He did it!

Ephesians 6 tells us to take up the whole armor of God. Specifically, it refers to the shield of faith. That shield serves a purpose: to quench the fiery darts of the Devil (Ephesians 6:16). Interestingly enough, the word in Psalms translated “arrows” is the Hebrew word that means “fire-bolts”. The Devil is holding broken darts. It is faith in Christ’s finished work at the cross that quenches the fire. We aren’t actually holding up a shield and deflecting the arrows; we are standing firm in the confidence that Jesus Christ has already defeated our foe. We are strong in knowing that the Devil can’t even fire at us because all of his weapons are broken!

Friends, it is all too easy to get caught up in the mentality that everything out there in the world is falling to pieces and we’re going to get caught up in it. The truth, however, is this: we aren’t of this world (John 17:14-18). By the blood of Christ we have been redeemed, sanctified, and restored to the Father. All of the promises of the Bible are meant for us!