For the last month my women’s Bible study group has been under significant spiritual attack. All but just a few of us have had major illness or injury occur to us or a direct family member since starting a study about ‘having the heart of God’. Tonight in the middle of the study we found out one of the lady’s mother tragically died. We were vaguely aware of the attacks but this sent the group into overdrive and grief has overwhelmed us.
The battle is so. very. real dear ones. The war for our souls, our hearts, our welfare and very health is ongoing. Scripture does not mince words with the cunning and pure evil of Satan. When it speaks of a roaring lion who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy… its being deadly serious- our Bible study group can personally attest to these very things just within the last 4 weeks.
In the middle of the onslaught tonight I cried out to God. How can we possibly stand against such an enemy? How, dear Lord can we hold up under overwhelming grief, pain, and confusion? The attacks have been pointed, cunning, personalized, and incessant. How do we bear up, how do we take up our swords when all we want to do is crawl in a hole? Where do we go, how do we escape the barrage of terror?
Lord be near to us!
In the middle of the mystery, in the middle of the darkness and the ache, in the very midst of the enemy’s attacks when all we can see is the blackness of the night that surrounds us, sometimes all we can do is lay still, squinching our eyes tightly closed perhaps, and listen for the Father’s words. If words scurry beyond our tongues and our thoughts turn blank, our situation is heavy with mystery; when we don’t know the beginning from the end and tangled mess laying around us is hopelessly unfixable, then dear ones it is time to praise Him in the midst of the turmoil. In the middle of the great mystery that encompasses us,
Praise Him.
Thank Him.
Beseech Him.
Fall into Him.
Call out to Him.
Yell at Him.
Beg Him.
And then seek Him again.
This walk we’ve been called to is not for the faint of heart. We are at war and there is very real injuries, illness, and casualties. There is surprise attack. There is utter destruction at times. Yet we are not without a General or King who is unsympathetic to our plight. Moreso He is most certainly not surprised by the enemy’s movements or strategy. He mourns with us. He hurts and cries alongside. Our King hates this fallen world as much as we do.
Yet the fighting rages on. Many battles will be lost, many scars and heartbreak inflicted- but we know better. Our eyes are fixed on the endgame, our faith and hope pinned on the eternal.
We know the end. We know Who wins.
So in the middle of the mystery we will put on our armor and keep fighting. We will take up our sword and fall to our knees in thanksgiving.
And we WILL win.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”
Ephesians 6:10-20 ESV
