SECURITY!

Traipsing around Australia (preaching, teaching, and stuff) this past week was fun. Launceston (in Tasmania), Melbourne (in Victoria), Brisbane (in Queensland), and Sydney (in New South Wales). A whirlwind trip, flying into town one evening and out the next after a day of ministry with friends (old and new) in these parts of the world.

Of course, travel arrangements were made together. Greg made all the strategic planning moves. He had all the e-tickets and all the information pertaining to flights. So we all line up at a Qantas counter. He leads the way to the ticketing agent, presents the paperwork, we load our suitcases on to the dock and that’s it. Yup, that’s it. Nope, no ID checked. Nope, no passport demanded. Nope, no security questions asked. Not even Greg’s biodata were requested, let alone scrutinized. (Yes, they did have a security line through which we all strolled through, shoes and belts and all.)

I said to myself, “After the hassles of US airport travel, this is nice! Smooth and easy. ” Then I started worrying about safety!

A few days ago, three men were charged with (attempted) “terrorism offences” on an army base in Victoria. And we flew the very next day. But, nope, still no IDs, passports, or security questions. I almost thrust my passport at the lady at the counter, declaring, “Hey, I am who I am.” (We seminarians like to make these profound theological assertions!)

I guess Australians are pretty confident! We did get to wherever we wanted to go in one secure piece. I am thankful for that.

But in Christian life, no such laxity is permitted. For our enemy is powerful.

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.
Your adversary, the devil,
prowls around like a roaring lion,
seeking someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8

All kinds of armamentarium is, therefore, enjoined upon us.

Put on the full armor of God,
so that you will be able to stand firm
against the schemes of the devil.
Stand firm therefore,
having girded your loins with truth,
and having put on the
breastplate of righteousness,
and having shod your feet with the
preparation of the gospel of peace;
… taking up the shield of faith …
to extinguish all the flaming
arrows of the evil one.
And take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:11, 14–17

Of course, victory against the nefarious plots of Satan is assured, for we have a stronger One indwelling us.

You are from God, little children,
and have overcome them;
because greater is He who is in you
than he who is in the world.
1 John 4:4

And, needless to say, nothing—absolutely nothing!—can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ!

Who will separate us
from the love of Christ?
Will tribulation, or distress,
or persecution, or famine,
or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
But in all these things
we overwhelmingly conquer
through Him who loved us.
Romans 8:35, 37

Safe, we are. Totally!

The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
The righteous runs into it and is safe.
Proverbs 18:10

Security? We have the best: the name of the Lord—His Person. And His presence. And His power.

… He Himself has said,
“I will never desert you,
not will I ever forsake you,”
so that we confidently say,
“The Lord is my helper,
I will not be afraid.
What will man do to me?”
Hebrews 13:5–6

So let’s go conquer!