Calling All Warriors!!

War is ugly business. It's not delicate, pretty, or easy. No one joins a fight and expects it to be like going to the amusement park. Why do we join the heavenly battle and expect roses?

The one thing that should always be considered when choosing a battle is the cause. What cause am I fighting for? Who am I fighting? Who is fighting with me? These are the questions you need to ask yourself.

Taking a look at the nature of war, any well organized fight has someone in charge. Someone is calling the plays, making the strategy to follow. Even the general has someone to answer to. He/She will not go to war or leave the battle without direct orders. Do YOU feel like you have been in battle? Don't feel alone. Many of us in the body have been under serious attack for quite some time. Which isn't to say that life doesn't bring trials, it's just that some seasons are full of attacks from all directions. This can have an adverse effect on those that are created to war in heavenly places, if we let it. The "fight" instinct that we are given by God can be triggered by the wrong things, people, life events, and emotions. That instinct is to help us, it is a tool if applied to the right things in the right way. Just as earthly wars need someone leading, so do heavenly wars. Obviously God is our commander in chief. He "calls the shots", so to speak.

We do not wrestle with flesh and blood!!!

"Our wrestling is not against flesh and blood but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of the darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12 American Standard Version)

What that means for us is that we are not meant to fight one another. The enemy isn't our husband, wife, kids, co-worker, boss, or our neighbor. Our enemy isn't even the group of people that stand for the thing we unknowingly hate, perhaps murders, people who inflict harm on others, whoever that person or people may be, they may be completely WRONG in their words and actions, but they are still not the enemy. The enemy is in the spiritual realm. Satan and his cohorts are the enemy! John 10:10 says, "The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and have abundantly (ASV).

That being said, don't be surprised at the ongoing battle--God has equipped you--seek Him for the way to fight. The plan of battle is not the same for everyone, but the weapon of choice is always love. The purpose is to bring His love to everyone. To be a light in the darkness, to heal those who are afflicted, and to set the captives free. In order to do this, we must fight in the heavenly war. Seek God's wisdom in your battles, every battle, every time. Ask who, what, when, and how. We see great warriors in the Bible do this. For example, David, the great warrior depended on God for the ok to fight and the way to go about it. I read an article that hails David as one of the most brilliant military minds ever (Duigon, 2005). His expertise came from God himself. You and I have access to God's wisdom and The Holy Spirit, who never leaves us. What more can we ask?

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened unto you. But inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy, (1 Peter 4:12-13, ASV).

He has given you all of the tools that you need to win!

What can you take away from this? You are not alone!! You were never alone. God has not forgotten you, he has not forsaken you. He has not forgotten the promises He made to you. He did not send you, warrior, into battle alone. The battle has already been won, the Holy Spirit is with you and the heavenly hosts are available to partner with you to accomplish God's commands.

John 14:27 says, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful" (ASV) Rest in God's strength and allow His peace to envelope you, oh weary warrior. You do not war alone!!

Reference

Duigon, Lee, March 01, 2005, King David's Military Genius, retrieved from Chalcedon.edu