“Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12 (NLT)
C.S. Lewis said something to the effect that every square inch of our universe is being contested for by the devil or the kingdom of God! In other words, we are at war, and it’s bigger than we imagined! We are fighting at four levels in nation. As the Spirit filled, truly born again Church, we need to be aware and engage where God has allowed us the grace to fight. We cannot simply cruise along, or continue to stick our heads in the sand ignoring the bigger war that is going on! Paul tells us to not be unaware of the devil’s schemes (Ephesians 6:11, 2 Corinthians 2:11)). The devil is all about killing, stealing and destroying, and that is not just on a physical level. He comes at us from a multiple of levels, usually using people to accomplish his dirty work.
First, there is literally a physical war going on. Not just what’s going on in Afghanistan, but across our globe there are enemies who want to destroy our nation and Israel, and they all hate God! This is happening both foreign and domestically!
Second, there is an intellectual war. The key battle ground for this is in our minds. The level of censorship, fake news and distortions of truth and facts can be overwhelming. Don’t believe it just because someone says it. Check your sources. If you are hearing it on mainstream news, it is most likely a lie and/or propaganda! We can’t just keep drinking from the same polluted well thinking it is going to help or free us. Everything the left and the MSN is labeling as conspiracy is most likely true. Just look back over the past several years! And everything they are censoring is probably true as well. And btw, please don’t look at MSN as your source to check the facts!
Third, there is an emotional war. So many are weary, fearful and anxious. The enemy wants us to put our trust in our own understanding, instead of trusting God (Proverbs 3:5-6), and of course that is overwhelming! Our emotions are a gift from God, but they are not meant to trump our faith. Paul told us to be anxious for nothing, but to praise God with thankful hearts and faith-filled prayers, lifting up our requests to God. The result is the peace of God that transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7). God’s peace is real, it is substantial and it is available, today!
Fourth, there is the spiritual war, and actually this is the most important one. Our nation has a destiny before God to fulfill. This nation was born to be the shining city on the hill! In this hour many are referring to this. For those around the world with no voice, we will be there voice! Back in the 1980’s President Ronald Reagan gave his “City on a Hill” message. It was powerful. Check out a short clip of it at https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4746361/shining-city-hill-ronald-reagan-1988-state-union-address. The concept of America being a city on a hill goes back to Winthrop in the 1630’s when he landed on the shores of nation. Obviously, this is referring to Matthew 5:14-16 where Jesus describes a city of light on a hill. Our country is the shining city on the hill! Each one of us is called to be a shining light on a hill. As in Gideon’s day, in this hour, we must break the jar that is covering the fiery light within us and sound the trumpet!
We are not civilians in God’s kingdom. We are called into active service and now we must receive our deployment orders (2 Timothy 2:3-4). Ask God to release within you faith, boldness, wisdom and clarity to engage in the battle before you! Ask Him to grant you an alertness of the Spirit. Ask Him to break everything that is hindering your light from shining fiercely in this hour. Pray for your pastor to become increasingly aware of the true war we are in, and have courage, faith and wisdom to lead your congregation to fulfill their part in it! Pray that the Church across our city would wake up, rise up and stand up together in this hour of war that is before us!!!
(Some of this was gleaned from a message by Hank Kunneman)
