By Dr. Rebekah McCloud

I have a good group of friends. Most are involved in some sort of ministry at their respective churches. In the past few months, I have noticed that all of them have been talking about being in a battle; specifically, they are engaged in spiritual warfare.

I usually encourage them to put on the whole armor of God, to pray without ceasing and I touch and agree that I will pray with and for them.

I’m rethinking that response. Recently I went to a training at work on secular and non-secular religion. It was facilitated by an employee who is a Chaplain. However, she does not believe in God. She is a Humanist and their motto is “Good without a God.”

My, Lord.  I’m not good, without God. Amen.

At the end of the training, one of the participants, also a Humanist, said he wishes Christians would stop saying they will pray for people. He didn’t need it. I told him I did and I would not be stopping. Now, I’m not condemning either of them for their ideology; to be truthful, it bothered me. But, that’s God’s job. The word says we are saved or condemned by our belief.

But, I left that training even more convinced that we ARE in spiritual warfare. Grace, we must be on our guard, the Bible says even the very elect will be fooled. Ephesians 6:12 says, “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Grace, we need to prepare for the battle. I can’t imagine my life without God. Amen.

Stewards, we know our job. The Great Commission spells it out; we are to be fishers of men. Matthew 28:18-20 tells us we are to “go and make disciples of all nations.” Even if we fall short and don’t do our job, the Lord will be vindicated. Luke 19:40 tells us that if we “keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” I don’t know about you, but neither rocks nor dry bones will cry out nor walk for me. Amen.

I told you I was rethinking my response. In addition to encouraging folks to put on the whole armor of God, to pray without ceasing and to touch and agree, I’m going to encourage them to have a battle cry.

There were a number of battle cries in the Bible. You may remember Joshua chapter 6. It tells of the fall of the city of Jericho. Verse 5 says in part, “all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat.” They were victorious. That was a mighty battle cry.

In 2 Kings 7: 3-7, we read about four men with leprosy who went into the Aramean camp. The Lord intervened for them and verses 6-7 says in part, “the Lord caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots and horses and a great army… So, they got up and fled and abandoned their tents and their horses and donkeys. They left the camp as it was and ran for their lives.” The four men were victorious. That was a mighty battle cry.

Judges chapter 7 tells about how Gideon and his army of 300 men were successful in a battle against the 135,000-man Midian army. Equipped with trumpets, clay jars and lanterns, Gideon’s army marched onward.  When the time came, they broke their jars, blew their trumpets and shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon.” The Midianites were confused and afraid; verse 21 says in part, “all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled.” Gideon and his army were victorious. That was a mighty battle cry.

Fortunately, our battles are different. 2 Corithians10:3-5 reminds us that, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”

Grace, I am so glad that I serve a living God who gave his only begotten son so that I may have everlasting life. A living God, yawl. The Alpha and Omega, the I Am, Jehovah Rapha, Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Nissi. The bright and morning star, the Rose of Sharon, the Prince of Peace. A living God! Amen.

That’s my battle cry—he lives! Nicole C. Mullens sings a song that says, “I know my redeemer lives. All of creation testifies, this life within me cries, I know my redeemer, He lives.” Amen and Amen.

For homework, think about spiritual warfare and what we can do collectively and individually.  Let’s suit up, take every thought captive and ready our battle cry. Amen!

 

7/16/17