http://getmorestrength.org
May 28,2012
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against . . . the powers of this dark world.” Ephesians 6:12
As
the war in Iraq drags on, we are all a little war weary from the
complex battle that continues to wage over there. The tired troops want
to come home, but with courage and dedication to the cause, they remain
on the frontlines. Those of us watching from a distance do what we can
to support them, driving around with our “Support the Troops” stickers
on our cars and praying fervently for their safety and success.
While
no one can accurately predict the resolution, the war carries a
poignant lesson for all those who care about the cause of Jesus
Christ. As God’s people, we are engaged in a war of far greater
proportions—warfare against the hierarchies and unseen powers of the
satanic hosts (Ephesians 6:10-12). This battle concerns the liberation of the eternally lost, the advancement of Christ’s kingdom, and the glory of His name.
What
strikes me is the surprising lack of support for the frontline men and
women who are in the trenches waging this war against the gates of
hell. Some of our spiritual troops are dug in on battlefields far
away. From massive urban centers like Hong Kong and Rio de Janeiro to
the remote jungles of Papua New Guinea, among executives and shopkeepers
and natives, these soldiers are penetrating enemy territory with the
life-changing claims of Christ.
I am frequently brought
face-to-face with the everyday struggles of missionaries who serve as
soldiers in the work of the kingdom. Some spend an inordinate amount of
time getting to the frontlines because the funds they need are not
available. Others often feel forgotten and neglected during their stint
on the field. When they finally come home, they feel that somehow they
don’t fit.
I also have the privilege of talking heart-to-heart
with pastors who labor in their homelands. While some feel loved and
supported, others speak of the difficulty they face in trying to focus
their church’s attention on the advancement of the gospel. Often a
pastor is the target of bickering and petty agendas that turn the
congregation inward and end up dividing and sapping its strength.
Laymen
fight it out in the trenches of the marketplace, where they see their
careers as an opportunity to show Jesus to their world by working with
integrity and ethical purity, and some of them do this against great
odds. Yet many find little enthusiasm or support for what they are doing
in the tough arena of secular society.
So, as Americans
commemorate Memorial Day, I think it’s fitting to stop and consider how
we are doing in terms of spiritual warfare. Let’s take seriously Paul’s
advice to “put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand
against the devil’s schemes” (Eph. 6:11). If
each of us were to make a personal commitment to put away what is petty
and temporary and instead concentrate on what will advance the cause of
Christ, think of the ground we could claim for His kingdom! If we
pledge to pray consistently and specifically for those involved on the
frontlines, we will provide a vital aspect of support. And if we put our
money where we say our hearts are, we will keep the battle lines
supplied.
The big difference, of course, between earth-side
battles and spiritual battles, is that we already know the outcome.
Jesus already claimed eternal victory, and in the meantime He gives us
the power for victory in the skirmishes we face along the way. So enlist
yourself today, and don’t forget to support the troops!
YOUR JOURNEY…
- Are you on the frontlines waging war with the forces of darkness? If so, make a list of the personal battles you are facing, and commit those areas to prayer with your armor on!
- What are some of the battles the church at large is facing today? How can you help support the cause in a way that brings glory to the name of our Leader?
- Think of some specific ways you can encourage others who are slugging it out on the frontlines. Write a note, send a gift, or make a phone call—be creative!
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