Saturday, June 4, 2011

Battle Stations

" 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen."
1 Peter 5:8-11

I remember reading a war story about a platoon that had fought a battle valiantly. The enemy had retreated, the soldiers thought they had won this skirmish and so relaxed a little bit. Setting down their weapons, and loosening the defenses, many of these brave men fell asleep. What they were not aware of was that their adversaries were watching, and when the opportunity presented itself the enemy swept in, causing great destruction and disaster.

Our walk, our lives involve two stories that are taking place simultaneously: one is a love story, between us and our Lord/ Master/Bridegroom/Abba, where He is pursuing us, calling us, wooing us, providing for and guiding us, and the other a war story: the one who comes to steal, kill, lie, destroy us is prowling about, active and looking at us, for that small moment of weakness, when fear, exhaustion, pride, lust and covetousness, etc., crack the door for him to sweep in and work evil. He wants to cast one living stone down from another, shattering one's witness that has perhaps taken a lifetime to build.
Beloved, this is no time to relax in the spirit! Be alert and sober minded, guard your hearts, minds, eyes and ears, put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:12) edifying one another, and have each other's backs. We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us. He will not relent...today resolve that you won't either.

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