Our Protection

Written by Helen Grace Lescheid

Do you struggle with the deep darkness of depression and find yourself without hope? Talk to us.

“Having believed, you were marked in him (Christ) with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is the deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:13,14).

I heard of a clever little bird in the tropics that will cover his young in the nest with leaves. When a poisonous snake slithers up the branch to devour the helpless birds, it strikes its tongue against the leaves and instantly recoils. The leaves are poisonous to the snake.

This little story reminds me that as Christians, we also have an adversary, the devil, who wants to destroy us. But we have a three – fold security: the seal of the Holy Spirit which means ownership by God; the blood of Jesus Christ which atones for every sin; and the name of Christ which sends Satan running. When we are in danger, all of heaven comes to our defense.

Are you feeling hopeless?: Moving through your suffering
Exhale your sin: Find hope in the Holy Spirit

Some years ago, in an African country, weak in body and discouraged in soul, I sensed an encroaching darkness descend upon me. On this particular day, I had gone to bed but couldn’t sleep. An ominous dread filled my heart. When I opened my eyes, I saw a dark figure had entered the room. I called for my husband to come and together we said, “In the name of Jesus Christ, we command you to leave. We are covered with the blood of Jesus Christ and you cannot touch us. We belong to God.”

Instantly the darkness vanished.

In Christ, we have a covering that the powers of darkness cannot penetrate. Therefore, we have nothing to fear – ever.

Father, I thank you for the victory that is ours in Christ Jesus. I pray for your covering upon myself and my children today.

Question: Have you ever experienced a period or moment of spiritual darkness? How did God bring you through it?

About the Author Helen Grace Lescheid

Tags: adversary, african, blood, Christ Jesus, darkness, dread, guaranteeing, Helen Grace Lescheid, Holy Spirit, inheritance, ominous, poisonous, promised, redemption

3 Responses to “Our Protection”

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Shira says:

July 24, 2010 at 11:49 pm

Wow! When I woke up this morning I thank God for protecting as I travel everyday to work and different places. I have things that are very valuable and owned by our company. But God is always with me protecting me so that I won’t be harmed. I remember one night when I was walking in a dark street I saw some drug addict men following me, but suddenly one Jeepney stopped beside me and told me to ride on his jeepney because the place where I am walking is dangerous and there’s also dangerous men following me. I rode his jeepney and didn’t let me pay instead he drop me off to a safe place. At that moment I didn’t know that the place where I’m walking is dangerous until I saw those men following like they want to devour me. But God send His help and protected me from them.

Thank you for this message. I’m very blessed!
La says:

July 24, 2010 at 6:40 pm

wow, thank you for sharing that story barbara. i’m at a low point right now, and it just amazes me how when one thing goes wrong, then so many other things go wrong too (like dominos). it’s like our minds are in “wrong” mode. i spent time on my knees hunched over in prayer, seeking GOD’s face, and giving all of my sorrows to HIM, i think i go in and out of wrong mode “right mode/ wrong mode. i truly think that i’ve given it all to HIM, however, still one thing after another keeps happening. in all of this, w/out going into great detail, i just gave in. i didn’t give in to GOD, but i kinda gave in to the world, I guess. it sort of feels like “if you can’t beat em, join em”, but this isn’t who i wanted to be. it was working so well for all of them, and i’m gonna say here, that when i gave in and said, sorry “it feels so good to just not give a s*!&!” sorry again, i started feeling better… I have to say though, it’s over something that i should give a s*!& about, so i’m confused. i’m not sure why i feel better. i don’t think i should feel better. i thought that my attitude about CHRIST was right. i thought all of them were the ones that were wrong. i was the outcast… and so i began agreeing w/ them and being every bit as sarcastic, and they are like: “what’s wrong with her, what got into her” (?) ~(you see they liked the old me better really). “she’s supposed to act like she really cares, and be loving, honest, and compassionate”. I dunno, but what i do know tho, is that this world is NOT easy. i ask for GOD’s armor every single day, and i ask that he take the wheel. I can’t do it. i give it all to HIM…. i also can’t avoid these ppl. so why not join them, and just be sarcastic like them, and not take things so seriously, have fun and laugh it off w/ everyone. what do you think about this. anybody been here?
Barbara says:

July 24, 2010 at 8:49 am

YES! I have experienced times of spiritual darkness…below is a small piece of my personal memior regarding one of them.

Nearing my forty-fifth birthday, I dreaded it. I didn’t want to face another day, let alone another year. In despair, I warned Dave ahead of time not to buy me flowers. I told him to buy them for me when I died, then I’d be delighted to receive them. Through this entire uproar, I read my bible, prayed to God, and tuned into sermons too. But the dreadful stronghold of suicide would not flee. A few flickering moments of hope entered my mind and heart offering a brief view of sanity. Yet each time I grasped the little beam of light, forces of darkness blanketed me. At my weakest point, two days before my birthday, while showering the suicidal thoughts besieged me. Dave’s not here. This is the perfect time for me to hang myself. I can’t keep living like this!

At this pivotal moment, I panicked over the thought of actually acting on my deadly emotions. All the other times I tried to commit suicide I was under the influence of either medication, alcohol, or both. This time I wasn’t under the influence of anything, other than the evil spirit currently invading my mind. I hadn’t had a drink or used any medications since my last attempt, nearly three years prior. Out of dire distress, I dropped to the shower floor and prayed for help. God break this oppression. God give me a life worth living. God rescue me from this terror. I kept chanting this mantra repeatedly as water cascaded down my trembling fetal position. The shower water grew cooler and cooler as I continued to rock my hunched over body endlessly. It took every once of energy to rise from the shower floor as I released my last cries of mercy and anguish.

Miraculously, when I opened the shower door God’s peace filled me. My oppression broke. The evil force that nearly killed me fled down my shower drain along with my tears of sorrow. In my heart, I knew God broke the generational curse of suicide handed down to me. The shackles of doom that once bound me came undone, freeing me from the enemy camp. My death sentence ended. God resuscitated me back to life. Hope, peace, and great assurance stirred within my heart, granting me the ability to grasp hold of the life God offered. He stepped down low and rescued me from the vile abyss that desired to kill me. Had I not dropped to my knees and cried out to God when I did, I don’t believe you would be reading about the triumph now.

Hope my testimoney helps others that might be in despair at this moment in time. Almighty GOD rescued me from the torment that I was in and now has given me new life once again.

May the GOD of all comfort help all who call upon HIM.