Have you ever watched the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery? It is a spectacle to behold! Since 1937, twenty-four hours a day, a guard ceremoniously marches back and forth, guarding the tomb. Every hour, the scene is interrupted by the oncoming heel-clicks of a new guard. The ceremony is not a simple shift-change but a series of complex movements with specific coordination. The interchanges and detailed steps usher in a new guard. In the end, there is only one guard on duty; the new guard replaces the old guard.
Read Philippians 4:6-7 and identify the rightful guard over your heart and mind: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." When I am anxious, I permit the wrong guard to march through my mind and heart. Who is the rightful guard? Yes, God and His peace! His peace is ushered in by the presence of the Holy Spirit. There is only one perfect guard over your heart and mind!
In John 17:15, Jesus asked the Holy Spirit to guard His followers: "I'm not asking that you take them out of the world, But that you guard them from the Evil One." At times, we allow unsuitable guards to march across the platform of our hearts. The wrong guards are imposters and will wreck your potential and wreak havoc on God's plans for your life. Imposter guards are powerless to stop the enemies of darkness. Self is the default guard that must be displaced before God's peace will take its rightful position.
Maybe you are anxious right now and need to pause for the changing of the guard. Guards do not enter or exit voluntarily; one must intentionally call for God's help. Stop and pray, renounce any puny guards, and receive God's presence and peace instead. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you, and experience the peace and protection from God. Lord, thank you for being the all-powerful guard of my life. Please retain Your rightful throne as Lord over my life and impart Your peace. I renounce my anxious desires and prayerfully ask Your presence to fill me and drive out any imposters and unbelief. I trust You with all my heart and value Your peace over my understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 26:3).
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