The fog begins to lift and the third day of battle is about to commence. The butterflies in their stomach’s swirling around in anticipation. “Will I be coming home from this?” The mind is racing and the heart is pumping, ready for the command to march out. But it would soon prove to be a fateful day as many soldiers gave their lives in an ill-conceived assault. The turning point of the war they say. But that was actually two months earlier when General Lee lost his best tactician and skillful general, Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson. If only J.E.B. Stuart had arrived as the battle began two days earlier. There were many what-if’s after this battle on the soil of Pennsylvania, Lee’s second attempt to take the war to the North. I was born walking on fields where valiant men fought for a cause. For freedom, independence and state’s rights. Noble men of character, with the women and children who loved them left behind. They fought on dirt roads, fields for farming and in thick, dense brush. The fighting was intense and not many of them were prepared for the gruesomeness of battle. Hard men and their families who worked for what they wanted and needed by the sweat of their brow. People who had to do everything by hand because there was no such thing as fast food. Although my ancestors were from the Northern states, I have Virginia’s blood in me.
I have walked many miles over battlegrounds both North and South. I fought the battle at Appomattox Station as a child with water guns. I have observed pictures of the destruction and carnage that war leaves behind. I have tried to view The War Between the States from all angles, from all viewpoints and perspectives and have come to the conclusion that in war, as with life, many things are complicated. At best, these men were conflicted and at worst they knew exactly what they were fighting for and were merciless in their pursuit of the enemies. The American Civil War brought out the best and the worst of us. There were honorable men who served on both sides. There were atrocious men who served on both sides as well. It serves us well to know and learn our history before stating that either side was completely in the right or the wrong. But both sides were complicit.
In our lives, we fight many battles. At their root, they are spiritual. Whether fighting against negativity or opposition, we are entrenched and the struggle is not easy. We gain ground only to be pushed back. We try to outflank and even surprise our common enemy. Filling our minds with the Truth of God’s Word, we are better equipped for the battles than when we ride out in our own strength. When we go it alone, it is like we are carrying muskets to a machine gun fight. We’re just not prepared. But as we fall to our knees and call on His Strength in preparation for the conflicts ahead, we are commissioned officers, ready for duty. The battle is won or lost in our preparedness and to be prepared, we must take orders from our Commander. Knowing Him is not enough, we must be attached to Him, connected to His Power for the next clash to be victoriously ours.
In Ephesians chapter 6, Paul gives us instructions on how we can be prepared as soldiers of the Living God:
The Whole Armor of God
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.
Ephesians 6:10-20 NLT
Many of our experiences of hurt, disappointment, unconstructiveness and opposition are in fact spiritual warfare. We look at the surface issue and it appears to be that someone has wronged us, life is unfair and things are not going our way. Oftentimes, these are brought about because we are under attack from the enemy. He enters into our relationships to make them messy. An unkind or negative word can hinder us and cause our hearts to ache. Disappointments can bring us down and start us on the road to identifying ourselves as losers. All of the elements of pessimism are already within us, but we must listen to a Greater Voice. He gives us the body armor to protect ourselves when these attacks come. As you look at the list above, you see that only one piece of this God-issued war gear is for offense and that is the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. As become People of the Word and People of Prayer, we have two tools with which to stand against these assaults for the enemy. Begin with Scripture reading and prayer, even when you don’t feel like it. This is the only way to begin to be prepared for the next assault. I struggle with this issue myself. Sometimes wanting to hold a grudge and not forgive. Sometimes believing the lies of the enemy and believing myself to be less than Who God says that I am. Only in getting to know Him and His thoughts of me, will I gain confidence in my life because of who Christ is and the fact that He knows me intimately.
Be assured, the adversary is already planning his next attack. Don’t be caught off-guard. Meet with God and He will give you the Strength and Power needed to Stand Firm against this slithering antagonist. Don’t forget to put on your gear today!
I have walked many miles over battlegrounds both North and South. I fought the battle at Appomattox Station as a child with water guns. I have observed pictures of the destruction and carnage that war leaves behind. I have tried to view The War Between the States from all angles, from all viewpoints and perspectives and have come to the conclusion that in war, as with life, many things are complicated. At best, these men were conflicted and at worst they knew exactly what they were fighting for and were merciless in their pursuit of the enemies. The American Civil War brought out the best and the worst of us. There were honorable men who served on both sides. There were atrocious men who served on both sides as well. It serves us well to know and learn our history before stating that either side was completely in the right or the wrong. But both sides were complicit.
In our lives, we fight many battles. At their root, they are spiritual. Whether fighting against negativity or opposition, we are entrenched and the struggle is not easy. We gain ground only to be pushed back. We try to outflank and even surprise our common enemy. Filling our minds with the Truth of God’s Word, we are better equipped for the battles than when we ride out in our own strength. When we go it alone, it is like we are carrying muskets to a machine gun fight. We’re just not prepared. But as we fall to our knees and call on His Strength in preparation for the conflicts ahead, we are commissioned officers, ready for duty. The battle is won or lost in our preparedness and to be prepared, we must take orders from our Commander. Knowing Him is not enough, we must be attached to Him, connected to His Power for the next clash to be victoriously ours.
In Ephesians chapter 6, Paul gives us instructions on how we can be prepared as soldiers of the Living God:
The Whole Armor of God
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.
Ephesians 6:10-20 NLT
Many of our experiences of hurt, disappointment, unconstructiveness and opposition are in fact spiritual warfare. We look at the surface issue and it appears to be that someone has wronged us, life is unfair and things are not going our way. Oftentimes, these are brought about because we are under attack from the enemy. He enters into our relationships to make them messy. An unkind or negative word can hinder us and cause our hearts to ache. Disappointments can bring us down and start us on the road to identifying ourselves as losers. All of the elements of pessimism are already within us, but we must listen to a Greater Voice. He gives us the body armor to protect ourselves when these attacks come. As you look at the list above, you see that only one piece of this God-issued war gear is for offense and that is the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. As become People of the Word and People of Prayer, we have two tools with which to stand against these assaults for the enemy. Begin with Scripture reading and prayer, even when you don’t feel like it. This is the only way to begin to be prepared for the next assault. I struggle with this issue myself. Sometimes wanting to hold a grudge and not forgive. Sometimes believing the lies of the enemy and believing myself to be less than Who God says that I am. Only in getting to know Him and His thoughts of me, will I gain confidence in my life because of who Christ is and the fact that He knows me intimately.
Be assured, the adversary is already planning his next attack. Don’t be caught off-guard. Meet with God and He will give you the Strength and Power needed to Stand Firm against this slithering antagonist. Don’t forget to put on your gear today!
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