Right on Target

While reflecting on this portion of The Psalm For the Season series, I started making a list of everything I knew about Bow and arrows and targets.

The first list was short, for I know little about archery other than the 2-week stint in high school gym class where we received more lectures on the safety of sport than technique. Given we were teenagers, this makes sense. Also, apparently, I have missed out by not reading “The Hunger Games. When I made a list of targets, I didn’t have as much trouble as I anticipated. Being in physical therapy for 27 years, much of my job was spent on helping others hit targets of things like achieving motion in recovering stiff joints or targeting a walking distance to be more independent. Then personally, I reviewed how often I have been invited to speak in my ministry and have asked, ‘what is the target message or who is the target audience?’ Ministries look at demographics to see if they are hitting their target. Financial planners lead us toward hitting our monetary targets to prepare for events like moves, college, mortgages, and retirement. Retailers have target sales volumes, and who doesn’t want to hit their target heart number in a workout and achieve their target weight as a result? So many things to aim for. But upon reflection of verse 5, the Psalmist reminded me I am a target. Because I belong to God and have chosen to follow Christ, the enemy has placed me on his hit list. Not an encouraging thought, right?

But because God loves us so much, He has given us such warning so that we can be prepared for battle and, as a consequence, experience so much more victory and joy in our daily life. Ephesians 6:16 instructs us like this” In all circumstances, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one”(ESV). What is a fiery dart? Everything from a thought that leads to foolish pride and swells our head or the doubt that God really is going to come through for me. Flaming darts can be fired from the Bow of the mouth of one we love, or we can be surprised by a dart launched by a stranger’s rudeness in the line at the store that can ruin our day. Not all Painful shots occur on the archery range. They can be executed in the home, the workplace, and yes, even the church. Some of us, at times, have picked up our bows and fired a few arrows ourselves when the enemy hits the target of our hot button, and we respond in anger. Then there are the fiery darts of fear, angst, worry, control, and temptation to sin. Ironic that the definition of sin is to “miss the mark.” Literally, when I sin, I miss the target God has designed me for.

But because I can dwell with the Most High and rest in the shadow of the Almighty, God assures me I will not have to fear the arrows that fly at me. For arrows to be effective, they need 3 things. First, they need a target. God says I have this in my life but am sealed in His protection under His wing. Second, arrows need energy; they need force. I can strengthen the enemy’s aim by feeding my mind and spirit with things that do not reflect the goodness of God and the peace that He places in my life. I can feed the energy of the evil one by avoiding scripture, worship, prayer and quiet time, the fellowship of other believers.

Last but not least, an arrow needs penetration to do harm. God instructs us in Ephesians to put on ALL the armor of God to protect ourselves, especially the shield of faith. If a fiery dart makes contact with me, I have come to realize that by trusting God in faith, He offers me protection through His presence. His words can fill me with truth where an arrow can not penetrate. Should I be wounded in battle, God has the power to heal and bring recovery. I don’t have to lie on the battlefield of this life in self-pity, allowing the penetration of a fiery dart to further damage my faith, confidence in my Redeemer, relationships, reputation, or even my joy.

Under most circumstances, if the enemy’s arrow is examined, I find that the sharp point is encased in a lie upon closer inspection. Because of all of these benefits, God, while He doesn’t always change the law of gravity and rescue me from all this mortal life brings, He has promised I can live boldly without fear should I so choose. This is only possible by fully trusting and keeping my eye on Him. I can walk down the road of life wearing the banner of the cross of Christ and not look over my shoulder in fear. Though I am being targeted, the Psalmist reminds me, “You will not fear the arrow that flies by day.

Thank you, God, for the encouragement of these words. I have no idea how many arrows you have shielded me from, but I know they are many. My wounds from a few, though not mortal but painful, you have used to give me greater faith, deeper trust. You alone conquer fear and bring peace and security in the heat of battle. God, if I haven’t said it today, thanks for having my back.

What happens when pestilence and plagues threaten the vineyard workers.? The 5 o’clock worker shares more encouragement from the series “The Psalm For the Season.”