Still Kickin’
Well, top off my glass with some o’ that there sweet lemonade, friend, and then, pull up a good rocker and settle yourself right over here in this here shady spot like a lil’ ol’ raccoon that just found the world’s biggest corn cob ‘cause we’re ‘bout to go strollin’ through some holy truth that will stick to your ribs better than your grandma’s homemade buttermilk biscuits. Isaiah 54:17 says, “No weapon turned against you will succeed.” That there’s God’s way of tellin’ you that even if life comes at you like a cranky lil’ ol’ possum gittin’ into the henhouse, you’re still covered, protected, and held real steady.
Jesus said in Mark 16:18 that believers could handle snakes and drink poison without harm. Now friend, that don’t mean we ought to go grab a cottonmouth like it’s some kind o’ church potluck casserole. That’s not real faith. No, sir, that there is just plumb foolishness. Scripture already told us in Deuteronomy 6:16 and Matthew 4:7 not to be testin’ the Lord. Testin’ God is like poking a sleeping skunk. You can do it, but you ain’t gonna’ be enjoyin’ the outcome.
What Jesus meant was this. If you belong to Him, you’re downright indestructible until God is done with you. Not reckless. Not careless. Just courageously steady. Deuteronomy 31:6 reminds us that God goes ahead of us and will never abandon us. Psalm 46:1 says He is our refuge and strength. Second Thessalonians 3:3 promises that He guards us from the evil one. Why, that there’s a whole lot better than having a whole barnyard full of critters trying to guard one lil’ ol’ biscuit.
Paul proved it. After surviving a shipwreck, he got bitten by a venomous snake in Acts 28, and he just shook it off into the fire like it was a lil’ ol’ mosquito at a summer picnic. The island folks waited for him to keel over dead, but he didn’t ‘cause Hebrews 9:27 says there is a set time for every person to die, and Paul’s appointment wasn’t that day.
Friend, your set time isn’t here either until God says so. That there means you can travel light, emotionally speaking. You don’t have to drag fear ‘round like a stubborn ol’ mule that refuses to move. God already told you in Isaiah 54:17 that no weapon formed against you will succeed. Not one. Not ever.
Father, thank You for being my shield, my strength, and my steady place. Help me walk in courage, not carelessness, and boldness, not panic. Teach me to trust Your timing, Your protection, and Your purpose for my life. Keep me faithful until the day You call me home. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Now, friend, as you git real busy with the things of your day, remember that courage ain’t the roar of a big ol’ lion. Sometimes it’s the quiet plod of a lil’ ol’ box turtle that just keeps going his way. Faith ain’t the flash of a firefly. Sometimes it’s the steady glow of a bright lantern shinin’ on a dark trail. And God’s protection ain’t no kind o’ flimsy like a scarecrow blowing ‘round in a windstorm. It’s real strong, real sure, and real steady, even when life hoots at you like an ol’ owl in the night. Walk boldly. You are a whole lot safer than a squirrel with a whole tree full of acorns. We’re still here and kickin’ cause God just ain’t completed His work in us yet. Then, when our work is done, He’s gonna be callin’ us home!
With joy,
Gwen
