A few weeks ago on Cup of Hope we spent several days talking about lessons from the beach. I feel incredibly blessed to live near the beach and even more grateful for the lessons God raises up on my time at the beach.
Recently I was on a walk at the beach in the morning. There was hardly anyone around. These are my favorite times. I can pray and sing with no one around. It is just me and God there. I am privy to a front row seat to see his power on display through the mighty waves.
As I walked I had my eyes focused on the trail of shells left behind by the high tide.
The sound of a high and powerful wave caught my attention and I turned my focus to the waves. Then right as the tide went out there it was. All alone. The biggest shell I have ever found!
I shrieked like a giddy kid and ran down to the bank. I grabbed that shell up in my arms as fast as I could.
Now let’s keep in mind – there was no one around me. But I ran after that shell like I was going to have to face a knock down drag out brawl for it. I’m pretty sure I could win a brawl over this shell as my fervor to get my hands on it caused me to bolt with a lightning fast lunge.
This in my mind was the “best find ever!” This conch was by far the best treasure I have found! I love finding sea treasures. It is an amazing game of hide and seek. God has treasures to be found, we just have to be looking – eyes wide open to what he wants to show us.
BUT, as good as that is, that is not the message I wanted to share with you today.
When I got home I did some research to find out what kind of shell I was blessed to find. My research uncovered that this conch is called King’s Helmet.
A King’s Helmet.
Of course that ushers in the opportunity for another lesson from the beach.
The moment I read King’s helmet on the screen in front of me I smiled and my mind went straight to the Armor of God.
In Ephesians 6:10-18 we are instructed to put on the armor of God. Guess what one of the pieces of armor we are instructed to put on is? Yep! You guess it! The Helmet.
The Helmet of Salvation.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Ephesians 6: 14-17 says, “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
“Take the helmet of salvation.” Admittedly this is a piece of the armor I have had trouble grasping the concept behind. Why would salvation and the helmet be tied together in this way.
I have associated salvation with being a heart decision. Growing up in church and hearing the typical Christian question, “do you want to ask Jesus into your heart.”
It’s a heart thing, right. Well, yes and also, it’s a head thing.
But why?
In digging into this question further, I researched about the pieces of armor and their purposes.
A devotional I read that was posted by Grand Canyon University clarified the purpose of the helmet as, “a vital piece of the armor, as an attack to the head could result in instant death.”
The helmet is vital to life and death.
Yes, the helmet is as vital to physical life and death as salvation through Jesus Christ is vital to spiritual life and death.
Without the helmet to protect the physical body, death for the soldier is a greater risk.
Without salvation to protect the soul of the soldiers of faith, death is not just a risk, its truth, its fact, it’s the impending end.
The understanding that salvation through Jesus Christ is as a helmet, a protection over us that is impenetrable straightens my posture as a soldier in the army of God. It encourages me to hold my head up high and accept the salvation of my soul as the protection for my head, my soul, and my life.
The helmet represents the assurance that I am “saved to the uttermost” as profoundly written in the words of scripture that says, “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)
Salvation is a part of the armor that no one can take away. Once given to the hands of the Father it cannot be knocked off, stolen or snatched away. It belongs on our heads for all eternity.
Singer-songwriter Christy Nockles wrote a lullaby called “Head to Toe.” The lyrics of this song sing of the beauty of the protection of the armor even over the smallest child with the heart to say yes to Jesus.
Oh the night is quickly fading
And the day will soon break in
And with the dawn the Lord will give
The grace you need to stand
And turn your worries into songs
Put on your covering of light
And you will long outlast the darkness
Because He’s with you in this fight
And with His righteousness, across your chest
Salvation for your head
The belt of truth, around you now
With the shield of faith in hand
And with His peace, upon your feet
Everywhere you go
His word will be the sword you keep
Your covered head to toe
You my brother, you my sister, are covered head to toe with the armor of God.
One King’s Helmet conch shell on the beach has provided this lesson, this reminder, this quest to learn more about the word of God.” Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” (Psalm 150:6)
This shell brings about praise to God the creator of the heavens and the earth. I am grateful for another lesson from the beach. And I pray that as you have read and encountered God through this devotion may you be encouraged that your salvation is secure and provides the protection for your eternal life that cannot be taken away from you.
For more resources about how to grow in your relationship with God go to my website www.stephanie.callkayla.com/books
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