THE ARMOR OF GOD

“Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 

“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. 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; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints….” 

Ephesians 6:10-18 

June 4, 2003. Three 81-mm mortar bombs rigged to explode at 12 noon were concealed in a bag that was placed beside the announcers’ booth of DXND in Kidapawan City. 

That was the time, I would be there to host the radio program “Pareng Gob.” 

The bag was discovered by DXND driver Toto Braga whose attention was attracted by the ripe fruits of a wild tomato that grew among the Suntan flower hedges beside the announcers booth. 

After he informed announcer Willamor Magbanua about his find, the police bomb disposal unit was summoned. 

This dog was commanded to sniff the bag and confirmed that there was an explosives inside. 

Policemen under then Chief Inspector Alexander Tagum cordoned off the area while the bomb experts diffused the bomb. 

I never got to ask for the name of the Belgian bomb sniffer. I don’t know if he is still alive by now as this incident happened nine years ago. 

But now I am certain. He was part of the Armor of God which was used to protect me. 

I thank everybody who saved my life that day: Toto Braga, Willamor Magbanua, Supt. Alex Tagum, the unnamed policemen, the unnamed bomb disposal experts and the unnamed Belgian dog. 

But most of all, I thank God for draping me with his Armor of Love and Blessings.