“Incoming, incoming, incoming! Take cover, take cover, take cover!” blared from the loudspeakers around the embassy compound, echoing through the billeting area. About 30 seconds later, we could hear the sound of three or four rockets exploding not far away. It was an awkward moment. Lynne and I were on a Skype call when the speakers started blaring. My first thought was to tell her it was the TV, but she knew that I had never plugged my TV in since I arrived. I was doing contract security work at the Baghdad embassy, working six 12-hour days, so I was not going to waste precious sleep time watching the Armed Forces television network. At 69, I was the oldest guy on the contract, and I needed my beauty rest (have you seen this face?)! I was already playing catchup.

I subsequently learned more about the “Sense and Warn” system we had at the embassy. It is a radar system that will detect any kind of ordnance with a trajectory — mortars, artillery, rockets, and ballistic missiles (actually had a few of those toward the end of my short career there). In Vietnam we called it “Counter-Mortar Radar.” That technology allowed them to plot the position of the enemy fire and direct a fire mission upon that location. As technology has become more sophisticated, so has the ability of the enemy to counter it. In Iraq, the rockets came from the Iranian-backed militia units, which typically placed their Iranian rocket launchers in an urban area with a timer. They would be long gone before the rockets were actually fired.

The enemy is lobbing “incoming fire” at Christians today. The Apostle Paul told us to be prepared for this.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” —Ephesians 6:10-12 (ESV)

While we need the “whole armor” of God, I want to focus on just one aspect of it — the shield of faith. “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16). The “flaming darts” come in many forms. You’re not good enough for God to care about you or God doesn’t care about what you are going through. Many times it will come in the form of an attack by a coworker, a neighbor, a classmate, or a relative. It may be a false accusation or slander. Regardless of the form it comes in, Satan wants you to believe that you have no protection available to you.

BUT God! Your part is to “take up” the shield of faith. Do you believe that God is in control of your life? He is if you asked Him to be! Do you believe that “for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28)? News flash: You are called to His purposes, and if you love God, you will keep His commandments. Do you believe that “no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed” (Isaiah 54:17)? All these promises and more become your shield of faith.

In this war, the enemy knows where we are. He would not be attacking us if we were not destroying his works in the world. He can lob some fiery darts at us with amazing accuracy. BUT God! He has His own “Iron Dome” system that is far more effective that what Israel uses to protect its cities. Israel’s Iron Dome system doesn’t catch them all, but God’s Iron Dome does, as long as your shield of faith is up. They may explode pretty close by, and they may get your ears ringing, but there will be no spiritual harm done. More importantly, you can shoot back. You can call on God to bring His “fire mission” on that enemy position.

It’s time for the Church to go on offense. We don’t win if we’re continually on defense. Paul followed up his description of the armor of God by telling us to be “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18). Our prayers are asking for God’s “fire mission” on the enemy position. It’s time to start asking God to give Satan a little taste of what is in store for him and his demons at the final judgment.

What say ye, Man of Valor?