13 September 2020

This Is War - September 2020

 

At the end of this week, the ram’s horn will sound all across Israel marking the Feast of Trumpets (Leviticus 23:23-25; Numbers 29:1-2). One of the main reasons to blow a trumpet, according to another passage, is an outbreak of war: “When you go to war in your land against the enemy who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the LORD your God, and you will be saved from your enemies” (Numbers 10:9; also 1 Corinthians 14:8). 

This is war. By now, it is clear we are at war and that 2020 will be remembered as the year in which a fierce spiritual attack was unleashed upon us. A declaration of war by the enemy leaves us with no choice but to sound the alarm before our king and to enter the battlefield. As you prepare, pay attention to this spiritual briefing. 

VICTORY. Your ultimate victory in Jesus Christ is already secured, since the outcome was determined on the Cross. The devil may succeed in advancing on some fronts temporarily, but he will be routed in the end. If you are not deeply convinced of that truth, then you will be of no use in the war and it is best for you to retreat instead of enlisting (Deuteronomy 20:8; Judges 7:3). You must remember that God has chosen you to fight at this time in history on the front that he assigns: “This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience…” (1 Timothy 1:18). Your role in the victory has already been prophesied, for such a time as this!

OBJECTIVES. Here it is actually worthwhile to consider the objective of the enemy first in order to understand our own. He hates the sound of the trumpet. He hates the sound of your voice lifted to God in a faith-filled declaration of triumph while the battle still rages. He hates the choir of the redeemed singing praises to the Lamb: “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death” (Revelations 12:11). The devil knows that our heartfelt praise in our darkest hours foretells his defeat ahead of time. Need I say more? You know what to do!

ENEMIES. Know your enemy: the devil and his angelic hosts. There are countless hostile human beings who are under their influence, and their deeds and ideologies must be confronted boldly – but they themselves are not our primary enemy: “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” (Ephesians 6:12; also 2 Corinthians 10:3-6). It can feel that humans are your enemies, but there is still hope that at least some of them will abandon the enemy of their own soul once they realize the trap.

SURPRISE. The element of surprise is a crucial weapon. The story is told of a World War I attack that went so deep into enemy territory that the defenders began surrendering even though they far outnumbered those who launched the offensive. This tactic is particularly useful when it comes to loving our enemies and blessing those that curse us. It sends shock waves through the spiritual world every time, and there are few things that the devil hates more than having his own soldiers start believing in the love of King Jesus. Use that weapon of surprise boldly.

VENGEANCE. God does not forget your suffering at the hands of the devil and his servants, and he will avenge (Romans 12:19). In human wars, the attacks by one side often justify an assault that was already pre-planned by the other side. Leave the decision on how and when to him, but know that he often uses spiritual attacks on you in order to launch his own retaliatory campaign to gain even more ground back. Take comfort as he takes up your cause. 

ROLE. Each soldier receives his commands from the top. It is your job to do exactly as you are told on the battlefront that you are assigned. In World War II, most heroes had no idea that someday the stories of their valor would be told. We see the bigger picture today, but at the time they could not see further than one step ahead in the fog of war. They felt incredible loneliness. They had no idea how much their service made a critical contribution to the cause. Such is war, so be ready to fight on in a lonely corner – and may it later be said that you were among those who "escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens" (Hebrews 11:34)

EXPECTATIONS. Now that you have enlisted, your days as a civilian are over: “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier” (2 Timothy 2:4). All sinful pleasures must be tossed aside, since they simply open up the door to the enemy (1 Peter 2:11). Even harmless peacetime pleasures may now become scarce. Lower your expectations regarding what to expect. Life will be hard, so drink deeply of the simple pleasures that you still receive: a cup of water, a glorious sunset, a bird singing, the friend who calls you to check in. Those little joys will refresh you, even if almost everything else is taken. 

IDENTITY. You are not just cannon fodder, but rather a warrior who is also a beloved son or daughter of the King. In human wars, there are countless casualties that seem absolutely senseless and without reason. Such is not the case in this spiritual war. Even if you lose your life, you will not be consigned to a mass grave to be forgotten forever, but rather will be ushered directly into the presence of the King. Even on your most difficult days, you are also given spiritual rest in Christ. “Whoever goes to war at his own expense?” (1 Corinthians 9:7). You certainly do not, since he will supply all your needs as your faithful commander. 

This is war. Arm yourself in his strength, and get out into the battlefield.

Illustration taken from Zedge


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