Scripture contains several variations on a theme about the Lord providing protection. An accumulation of stickers taught me about that promised protection.
Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you—there is no (Doctrine and Covenants 71:9) that is formed against you shall prosper
Versions of that promise occur in the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants. I’ve often wondered how that could or would apply to me.
Yesterday as I concluded my walk around the neighborhood, I discovered several stickers in the bottom of my right shoe. I immediately sat on the floor to pull them out of my shoe; I definitely didn’t want them to become inadvertently dislodged where someone could step on them. Having stepped barefoot on these types of stickers before, I know they are BRUTAL to flesh.
As I carefully pried each sticker out of my shoe, I thought about how completely my shoe shielded my foot from the stickers. I was so oblivious to them that I didn’t even realize I’d walked through stickers!
There is no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper.
What could I learn from this simple example about the Lord’s protection?
I love this invitation to stand in the power of the Lord’s might by putting on the whole armor of God. Each part of God’s armor requires specific attributes of righteousness and offers protection in unique and specific ways.
Finally, my brethren, be
in the Lord, and in the power of his might.Put on the whole , that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. of God
For we places.
not , but against principalities, against powers, against the of the of this world, against spiritual in highWherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins
about with , and having on the of ;And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of
;Above all, taking the shield of
, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery of the wicked.And take the helmet of
, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:10-17)
The temple endowment clothes us in righteousness, power, and glory. President Russell M. Nelson taught
[I]n this world smitten with spiritual decay, can individuals prepared for temple blessings make a difference? Yes! Those Saints are “the covenant people of the Lord, … armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.”
Putting on all aspects of the armor of God offers spiritual and physical protection.
How amazing that accumulating stickers on my foot’s protective shoe barrier could remind me of the Lord’s great promises!