Tuesday, October 7

Spiritual war and NO RETREAT!

"Pul on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil" Ephesians 6:11 (NASB)

We have been memorizing Ephesians 6:14-17 as part of the challenge issued by two dear brothers in the Lord's Army, Garry and Andrew. I've noticed that God has us pretty well covered in the preparation for the battles we, as Christians, face for the glory of the Kingdom. There's the belt of Truth, the breastplate of Righteousness, the helmet of Salvation, and the 'shoes' of readiness to girth upon our bodies. We are also called to carry the shield of Faith, and use the sword of the Spirit. We're all covered, except for our backs.

There is nothing in our Commander's battle plan about retreat; no matter the odds, regardless of the size of the enemy's army arrayed against us, and regardless of the giants he may command. God doesn't call for retreat, but a pressing on towards the goal; the restoration of the Kingdom to the creation God made with His own hands for His children which made the choice to stray.

The battle plan is simple. Stand your ground, and even after you have done all in your power and in the Spirit, to stand. Not swaying to and fro, but firmly. Your feet planted upon the Rock of Salvation's deliverance, your sword held high by the strength of the Lord, and your faith flowing through the bruised and battered flesh. And once, when you have done all that God calls each and every warrior of His command to do, you bring out the grenade.....prayer and toss it into the midst of the foe.

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." v18a(NIV).

For the battle to which each man, woman, and child of God is called isn't physical. We are called into the spiritual plane, where the rulers, authorities, and powers of the dark, corrupt world reside; bringing the spiritual might empowered to each of us who answer the call to rally against the forces of evil which stand in the heavenly realms. God will reclaim His creation, and it is the saints upon the battlefield of the heavens to which He has empowered the fight.

We should remember that, in the midst of our needs, wants, and desires that are subservant to the Lord's will, that the mysteries of the physical world are visible to those who fight in the spiritual one. And, even if you are called to be a healer...in the 'rear with the gear', or a instructor in the training grounds, or even a support personnel, enabling supplies and necessities to be brought to those upon the thick of the battle; it is all for God's glory that this mighty Army moves. All are important, all are a part of the plan.

And all, regardless of the calling and where you serve within this vast host, we should not forget Paul's final say in this passage;

"With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints" v18b(NIV)

"All for the One, and One for All!", should be our battle cry.