And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28

Dana Shafman is a lady to be respected.

Yes, I know, everybody is supposed to be respected. But if I ever have an opportunity to meet Dana, you can be sure I’m going to treat her with a great deal of deference. That’s because Dana Shafman of Gilbert, Arizona, carries a pink stun gun.

For those Daily Devotion readers who don’t know what a stun gun is, let me explain: A stun gun is a battery powered, non-lethal, self-protection device. The stun gun fires two darts into attackers and gives them a knockdown jolt of electricity.

Most of the time those who have experienced the shocking shot have not volunteered to do so again.

Now, from her home Dana is selling those stun guns to women who are concerned about their personal safety. Sort of like a 21st-century Tupperware party. Every month Dana is selling about 30 of those $350 dollar stun guns. When asked to explain why the high volume of sales, Dana explains, “The worst nightmare for me is, when I’m sleeping, someone comes in my home.” Most of the people at her stun-gun parties agree with her.

There is no question that we live in a mighty sinful world. Every day the news is filled with terrible and tragic stories of what human beings are doing to each other. For that reason I can understand the fear that has gripped so many hearts; I can appreciate the desire to be protected. Even so, I don’t think fear of physical attack should be anyone’s worst nightmare.

That fear should be of something far more sinister. Wishing to warn those He wished to save, the Savior said, “Do not fear those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Jesus knew that as terrible as temporal attackers might be, they can’t compare to the spiritual forces, the principalities, the powers of darkness, which are trying to harm us eternally. So we might be protected from these sinister, satanic forces, Jesus entered this world. To put Himself between evil and us is why He lived, suffered, died, and rose. Now all those who are brought to faith in Him as Savior are protected.

As Psalm 46:1 says, “God (not a stun gun) is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, in this frightening, fearful world, let me come to You in my troubles, trust in Jesus for my temporal and spiritual safety. I pray it in the Name of Him who died for me. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Job 34-35    Matthew 14:22-36

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