The War We Are In

I can’t imagine waking up in enemy territory and placing my feet on the ground in a land where the people are against me.

I can’t imagine wearing special protection and carrying a weapon in order to protect myself.

Why do I feel as if I would be in a constant state of terror if God called me to this kind of life?

I’m pretty sure I would be the weakest link in my battalion, and I’m confident that I would position myself in a place of hiding every chance I could.

 

And yet every single day, I do wake up in enemy territory.

When I get out of bed, I place my feet on the ground of a world where someone is against me.

 

I can’t see him, but I know he’s there.

The Bible tells me he is like a roaring lion “seeking whom he may devour.”

The Bible tells me he longs to steal, kill, and destroy every part of my life.

Ephesians calls him the “prince of the air.”

 

He hates me.

And he hates you.

I don’t know about you, but it upsets me to know someone hates me and wants to see me lose.

 

Nothing makes him happier than to pull us down into times of failure, mistakes, depression, isolation, confusion, doubt, disappointment, and loss.

 

When we mess up, he smiles.

When we sin, he laughs.

When we fail, he grins.

When we fall short, he whispers, “I knew you would.”

When we try to do better, he hisses, “Why bother?”

When we want to be set apart and holy, he slips thoughts like “arrogance and pride” into our minds so we second-guess our heart and motives.

 

I’m feeling his presence this morning as I try to pray for my family.

But I refuse to tremble.

I refuse to hide or become the weakest link in God’s spiritual army.

 

He’s pressing in but I am pressing on.

I’m not perfect, but I know Who is.

I’m not able, but I trust in the One who is “more than able.”

I am weak, but I belong to Him who is strong.

 

As Christians, we are in a war from the moment we join God’s family until the moment we join Him in Heaven.

It’s not always going to be easy while we walk on this planet, but we are guaranteed an ultimate victory when God is on our side.

 

I’m praying for you this morning.

I’m praying Ephesians 6 over your life and mine.

 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.   For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.   Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,  and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.   In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.