We always want to believe that tomorrow will be better than today and today will be better than yesterday. Right. We teach our scholars (that’s all of them) and our staff (all of them) this: “today is another great day to do good and to be successful.” It’s a saying I created and learned you can speak even to people you don’t know and they smile.
Sometimes I speak to people in the elevator, “Good morning! It’s a great day. Today is another great day to do good and be successful.” If I’m walking down the sidewalk in front of our schools (Today’s Fresh Start Charter School), I will greet someone, “Good morning! Did you know today is another great day to do good and be successful?” Their reply, “Oh, yeah,” and walk away with a smile.
Sometimes very simple things mean a lot. It can put a bounce in your step. It can bring someone out of dark thoughts and bring light. Some think he/she will escape being mean and saying mean things to others. You won’t get away with it.
I have learned the Bible is a real true book of wisdom. People can say all kinds of things. But not God. No-no-no. God is not a liar. God cannot lie. His character is divine and perfect. His words are incontrovertible. He does not change.
He is a sun and a shield (Psalm 84:11). A very present help in time of trouble and in time of happiness. Jesus Christ (Messiah) is our provision in God; seeing that He is God’s only begotten son. He is our shield.
Jesus Christ is our shield as we rely on Him in faith. He is our protection and our protector. He is our security at all times under all conditions and in all situations. If we’re thinking and worrying about something, we look up and BAM! It’s already done, ‘cause He’s got it all worked out.
What does this shield include? As believers, we have a special reserved seating at the table around the throne singing and praising the awesome God. He favors us. We’re special to Him, a delight. He delights in us because we do what he says to do.
He smiles on us. We’re diligent in our practices and consistent in our duties. We’re the salt of the earth. Remember? This shield is our “Shield of Salvation.” (Psalm 18:35). He is truth (Psalm 91:4). O, what does favour include? Get this: “life” (Psalm 30:5), “mercy” (Isaiah 60:10) “preservation” (Psalm 86:2), and “security” (Psalm 41:11). His shield includes “remembrance” and “salvation” (Psalm 106:4).
Somebody said, “How about I just put on my bullet proof vest. How about if I get the new armour type cars-tanks?” Nope. That won’t cut it and won’t get you into heaven either.
Suppose I just wear a special helmet? Well, it’s got to be a divine special one because we are wrestling against spiritual wickedness in the heavens. A fireman’s helmet or a police officer’s bulletproof vest just won’t be the kind of protection you need when dealing with angels of darkness and destroyers.
That’s why you need the impervious protection of “the Divine.” You need the whole armor because you don’t always know when a surprise attack may come. You remember when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7th? Israel was taken by surprise!
You know how many times Israel (Jerusalem) has been under siege? The first starting some 700 years before Rome was founded about 1442 B.C. It was the tribe of Judah against the Jebusites. There are no fewer than 27 sieges and in Zechariah 14 is the 28th.
What can we say to these things. Well, we can say many things, but we will try to stick to the truth as much as we know. We do know the truth! With Jesus Christ we are “bulletproof.”
Thanks for reading! Jeanette Grattan Parker is the founder-superintendent of Today’s Fresh Start Charter School, 4514 Crenshaw Boulevard, L.A. 90043, 323-293-9826, www.todaysfreshstart.org, (Ask Dr. Jeanette TM) “Inquiring Minds Want to Know.” All articles are copyright. All rights reserved © Errors? Or Questions? Please let me know. Join Sundays for music and message at 11:30 a.m. by calling (712) 775-8971, code 266751. References: The Holy Bible, New American Standard Companion Bible. Don’t stop praying and hoping. “Today is another great day to do good and be successful.”
