Former military members know that the enemy never tracks, attacks or reacts to assets that pose no threat. If you are being barraged, harassed or assaulted by enemy attacks you should count yourself fortunate. If you are a believer the enemy must have permission to attack you, without it you stand impervious under the protective hedge of God’s security. So, if enemy arrows are finding purchase in your life then God has allowed this either to alert you to enemy footholds in your life thereby strengthening your resistance or to chasten you so that you return to the Lord in humility requesting assistance. We are commanded to stand in the face of enemy attack, our feet firmly rooted in the courage and confidence upon the Lord’s Faithfulness. If I never receive any attacks then I will neither fully comprehend the Lord’s perpetual coverage over my life nor will my courage and resolve ever be sharpened, expanded and improved. Praise God He is faithful to complete the work He once began in my life.
This leads me to a frightening observation. If you aren’t receiving enemy attacks then there is cause for concern. Either, the enemy has no fear of the Holy Spirit working for His Glory through your life or you have quenched the sanctification of the Holy Spirit to the point where you are no longer being sharpened by the Lord’s Hand of discipline. Our churches should collectively be called to alert by the absence of enemy attacks upon its parishioners. Complacency is the greatest enemy of a willing saint. Satan has convinced humanity, including Christians that comfort, peace and lack of conflict in this lifetime is our greatest, achievable “success”.
All those out there who have experience serving in the military know this to be false. We understand that diligence requires constant training, for perfection is not a destination it is a process. I look at myself in the mirror and I still weep for the work left to be done in my own heart. How can I ever accept complacency when I know that I fall so short of God’s Glorious intention for my life? I am not saying that I prescribe to a doctrine of works for I fully understand that God looks at me and sees Christ’s righteousness, but I also know that I am still here in this short lifetime, therefore I clearly have not finished the work for which God created me.
His sanctification in my life will be done when I face those eyes of fire and have to give an accounting for this life, not before. As Paul stated we should run this race as if we intend to win, not just place or show. I am not perfect, but if my intention is to be like Jesus, then that is the plateau to which I am dedicated. Nothing short of His likeness should be acceptable for any of us, therefore I welcome suffering for Christ, with Christ and understand that the enemy’s presence in my life is indicative of God’s involvement in His process of my ongoing perfection. I am at peace and know that the Lord is my God and “all things are worked together for the good of God’s Will” for I love God and walk according to His purpose. God’s plan is Glorious is it not? Praise Him and welcome His chastisement for it is the only guarantee to a life well lived.
For those Brothers and Sisters who have resolved themselves to the comforts of God’s continued monetary bounty I say “tremble”, for the Lord is not a God of debauchery, laziness and contentment. The battle rages and even now we enter the greater fray. The time of harvest approaches and for those found doing the work when the master returns I say, thank you for your obedience and demonstrated Love of God. For those, and you know who you are, who sit in the pews, piously self-proclaiming your innocence I say “Awake” for the Kingdom is at hand. I pray for workers for the harvest and that all those who have tasted Grace remember the value that has been placed upon them. Live worthy of God’s sacrifice, stand and face the enemy in battle clothed with the armor of God. Praise God that He gave us His Son for our eternal salvation and redemption to God. Let us acknowledge the depth of such a gift with humility, surrender and service of our Righteous King.
awrkhakhaya 