Battle

Are you in a battle today? Call upon Yahweh Tsebaoth.

Do you feel it? There is a battle raging within us. On one hillside of my heart the sinful nature is encamped. This army, hostile to God, desires to be in control.

Ever feel like you are alone in the battle? The fighting and chaos surround you, and there seems to be no chance of winning. Listen to today’s passage.

“Be a light!” That’s what Beth Ann Schaeber said to her boys every day. Before she dropped them off at a friend’s house or their sporting event or when they walked out the door to go to school, “Be a light!” was the last thing they heard. They responded, “Shine bright!” Beth Ann knew that she was sending her kids into a dark world. She knew that they had been called out of darkness into God’s marvelous light to reflect the light of Jesus. The apostle Paul gave us the same challenge.

In the past few weeks, the world has been engulfed in a crisis that started with a terrorist attack on Israel and its response. We have seen Israel’s “Iron Dome” fend off a barrage of rockets from Hamas and Hezbollah militants. We have watched Israel striking back at the terrorists’ stronghold in the Gaza Strip. More recently, Israel has sent in ground troops maneuvering through underground tunnels determined to find the enemy and in hopes of rescuing innocent hostages. This war is being fought in the air and on the ground. Our greatest enemy, the devil, fights against us on the same two fronts.

A cultural Christian with a half-hearted commitment to Christ is not going to run up against much spiritual resistance. And even when they do, like the Israelites before Goliath, they will turn tail and run. But if you are serious about following hard after Jesus, get ready for the battle. The enemy is actively working to make you fail and fall. So, arm yourself!

In our passage today, Peter likens these sinful snares to soldiers coming to make war. Equipped with the tanks of anger, missiles of greed, swords of lust, and automatic weapons of pride, these “soldiers” come to attack your soul. These soldiers of sin seek to destroy us or render us useless and ineffective. A broken and wounded follower of Jesus is just as useless as one who has been wrecked.

I will never experience the penalty of eternal death and separation from God. Today I can live in confidence and security!

The key to spiritual life is surrender. I must always relent to the Spirit for the resources and strength to please God.