Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Welcome To The War Zone

Exodus 13:17  "And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:18  But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt"

This scripture teaches us something very central to the Christian life, if you follow Jesus you will encounter warfare. As a matter of fact, this scripture tells us that God did not take the children of Israel the shortest route to the promise land but he led they by way of the Red Sea. Before they would experience the enemies of the promise land, God wanted them to experience his power to save them, no matter what came against them. So before they ever fought a battle, they saw God fight for them and destroy the mightiest army on the planet. He was building their faith, he was preparing them for what was to come.

Salvation seems to come with a honeymoon period. When a person gets saved there seems to be a short season where everything is wonderful, when God is supernaturally answering prayers and the red seas of their lives are easily parted and then comes the battle. Somehow we forget that possessing the promise land means driving out the enemy. We are in enemy territory, Satan is the prince of the powers of the air and there are principalities and powers in heavenly places that are warring against every step that we try to take into the promises of God and the advancement of his Kingdom in the earth.

1Peter 4:12-13&19 tell us "Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13  Instead, be very glad-for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.19  So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you"

Don't be surprised by the fiery trials or the suffering that happens in your life. Look what is says "if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right". So what kind of suffering pleases God, the kind of suffering that comes from doing what is right in the eyes of God. The suffering that comes from the battlefield. Every solider that has ever fought a battle can tell you, that in order to fight and especially in order to win you have to suffer. The surprise attacks of the enemy, bombs, bullets, fox holes and sleepless nights. Soldiers suffer for the cause, they realize that they have an enemy that hates them and will do anything to stop them from claiming victory.

If you are a Christian than let me say welcome to the war zone. We are at war, at war for the souls of men and the kingdom of our God. Our job is to take back what the enemy has stolen, to charge the gates of hell. So don't be surprised when the enemy throws a hand grenade into your life, don't be surprised by the bullets flying at your head, don't be surprised to see your friends, family and even your self get wounded once in a while. The heroes of war always have scars. 1 Peter 4:19 closes with this statement " keep on doing what is right and trust your lives to the one who created you, for he will never fail you".

So how should I respond to the battle and suffering that comes with fighting for the Lord: first I keep on doing what I am doing, don't stop, give up or throw in the towel. Second I recommit my faith and confidence in the one who created me and loved me enough to send his Son to die for me and third I settle in my heart that our God will never fail us. He has called not just to fight, but to win. The only way a Christian can be defeated is if he quits, so refuse to quit and Fight, Fight, Fight!!

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