New Year, Same Security System

Have you ever watched the television show, Shark Tank? It’s the show where entrepreneurs and inventors get a chance to pitch their ideas before potential investors.  My hubby is an inventor, in his mind at least, but he has yet to come up with any really bright ideas that can pay off. He did, however, purchase a “Singtrix” karaoke system after watching it demonstrated on Shark Tank. Ron is all about karaoke, watching Shark Tank, and dreaming of money-making inventions.  

Another now-famous product we saw on Shark Tank is the “Ring” doorbell security system. I’m sure you’ve seen the commercial where a lady, who is getting her nails done, receives a signal on her smartphone about the would-be thieves at her doorstep. The security system triggers an alert on the phone and allows her to see who’s at the door. It also alerts the bad guys that she sees them. 

It is a genius idea, and I’d have one if I didn’t already have my two big dogs. With their big bad barks, my German shepherd and mastiff ensure that no one is going to come up my drive without apprehension.  

As I was thinking one day about how much our heavenly Father protects our homes and families with—or despite—any new security gadgets, I thought what I could really use is a security system on the door of my heart. I need to detect and scare off would-be spiritual thieves. 

Those robbers are at my heart’s door more than UPS or Amazon is at the front door of my home. It’s a daily, and often sneaky, approach to burgle my spiritual heart. Those are the old crafty crooks whom Jesus tells us about in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” 

I want to experience abundant life with my Good Shepherd, but I’m not always as mindful of the plot to steal my joy or kill my faith. I can certainly have my gospel witness destroyed too. And those who are perishing around me need to hear about the joy of salvation. It’s all a part of Satan’s scheme to stop me and you from remembering the promises of our great God and then for us to become useless in our gospel witness. 

So, how do we get those alerted promises that will help us ward off the assailants of our hearts? No matter where we are, the enemy is prowling around, “seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8)” 

Wouldn’t you pay for a spiritual, security system like the “Ring”, if you could? Unfortunately, we can’t purchase anything like that. But the good news—the great news—is that this security has already been purchased for us.  

Yep! That reminder of his good promises is already at your disposal and was paid for by the death and resurrection of our dear Savior. It is a guarantee from God, who gave us his Holy Spirit as a guide and helper. The Holy Spirit helps us remember these promises and ward off the persistent prowlers to our hearts and minds so we can keep our focus, our fearlessness, and faithful love, on Jesus.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name,  he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you (John 14:26). 

I’m ringing in the New Year by taking more and more of his promises to heart. I might spend some holy elbow grease putting more of God’s Word to memory, but I have help from the Holy Spirit. I know the more I have his Word in my heart, the quicker I can ward off those bandits who are looking for just a slight edge to take away the knowledge that God is always good.