Brass Knuckles And Velvet

2 Corinthians 10:4 – For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. (KJV)

My grandfather served as a US Army foot soldier during World War I in France in 1917. During that time, he used a weapon called brass knuckles. He used them in hand-to-hand combat, to defend himself while in foxholes and trenches. When he passed on, my grandmother gave them to me. Not knowing what to do with them, but honoured to have an item that was so important to Grandpa, I wrapped the metal piece in a swatch of deep blue velvet, and placed it in my bottom sewing machine cabinet drawer. Now, 50 years later, I remove the weapon of war from its bed of luxurious, but durable and strong cloth, to look at it from another perspective.

According to Scripture, there are earthly and spiritual battles. The spiritual battle is one where Satan is in revolt against Christ for the minds of Christians. Only the Lord's power can fight and win this battle. In contrast, Grandpa fought in a battle that emerged from a particular worldview, and he needed physical weapons to fight for his life.

The Christian needs the instruction of the Lord. We don't need brass knuckles to defend ourselves in spiritual warfare, as we have God's Word and His invisible, mighty armies of holiness, fighting our battles for us. Our weapons are not of this world, but from the mighty power of God, to His glory. The divine power of God is both fierce and lovely, like the velvet that blankets my grandfather's World War I weapon.

Prayer: Dear Father, thank You for the spiritual protection that You provide us. We are grateful that we can be confident, knowing that our salvation is secure and that Your heavenly armies are constantly fighting spiritual battles on our behalf, as You hold Your people in the strong velvet glove of Your love and care. Amen.

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