11/01/2024
This morning we are dwelling on praying during seasons of conflict. Paul gave these instructions to the Ephesians regarding being a Christian soldier, and they have served us well throughout the millennium...
“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,”
Ephesians 6:17-18 ESV
When we are in seasons of conflict or hardship we should not despair, but rather, we should put on our armor and pray... then go to battle against whatever the enemy brings our way. Pastor E. M. Bounds talks about this passage of scripture in this way:
"The description of the Christian soldier given by Paul in Ephesians 6 is compact and comprehensive. He is seen as always being in seasons of conflict.
There are seasons of prosperity and adversity, victory and defeat. He is to pray in all seasons and with all prayer. This is to be added to the armor when he goes into battle. The Christian soldier, if he fights to win, must pray fervently." - E. M. Bounds
We are nearing a presidential election and it always amazes me how Christians begin to wring their hands and worry themselves sick over the outcome. This American election, 2024, is similar to that of 2020, and seems to continue pushing this to fever a pitch. However, as Christians we should participate in the political process but know that whatever the outcome might be... all is not lost, and God is still in control. All seasons are under His command. Countries come and go, regimes change, but God's kingdom is eternal.
We read the Bible and, in between elections, we claim that it is indisputable. We even quote scripture such as Romans 13:1...
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”
Romans 13:1 ESV
And yet in an election year we fret over the outcome as if it were the end of the world. In truth, there is little that happens in our lives, and the world, which the Bible has not recorded in past events. We read of the seasons, the dictator kings, the evil despots, the pious who served God but hated Jesus, and of the priests who were self-indulgent and lost... but amazingly God's people persevered. We survived by remaining firm in our faith, by keeping our boundary stones in place, and through prayer; much prayer.
I read an interesting quote and a paraphrase is this... "No one can take your faith from you, you must give it freely", and as I thought about this I realized the truth in it... heaven is full of martyrs who would not yield their faith. If we truly believe, then our faith too is worth taking with us to the grave, and the Lord our God is worth resting in as we take our stripes… and wait for our number to be complete. Then, and only then, will all our tears be dried.
“When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.”
Revelation 6:9-11
So what does this quote have to do with earthly kings and presidential elections today? Only this... if we Christians find ourselves in a terrible season after an election or after a new king, queen, or dictator comes to power... our governors might take all we own in this world, but they can't pry a single chip of our faith from us unless we allow it. We aren’t martyrs if we give our lives for things that are not of God, nor are we made righteous because we fret over things that are in God’s control and will pass away, no, these are all temporary things, momentary storms, and afflictions, which in the end will only serve to strengthen us in our faith.
“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 ESV
Every one of the Apostles died a violent death at the hand of kings, mobs, and religious leaders of their time accept one... John; and yet he too suffered greatly. But, through all of this suffering and agony they remained the faithful Children of God… none died trying to overthrow a despot, or in doing battle against an earthly tyrant.
R.C. Sproul wrote these words:
"Real assurance rests on a sound understanding of salvation, a sound understanding of justification, a sound understanding of sanctification, and a sound understanding of ourselves. In all these matters we have the comfort and assistance of the Holy Spirit who illumines the text of Scripture for us, who works in us to yield the fruit of sanctification, and who bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God." - R.C. Sproul
Let’s cling passionately to our faith in all seasons, and fear not… Let’s remain strong, even during contentious election seasons. Is there an outcome of any political election that you fear, or that can destroy your faith? Think on this.
Rich Forbes
Prayer:
Thank you Father for hearing our prayers, watching over us, and blessing us throughout our lives. Thank you for using the storms and hardships of this world to strengthen us as we work out our own salvation. Lord, thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to bolster us in our belief in your word, increase our faith through it, and to lead us in our prayers as we ask for your will to be done. Holy Father, there is nothing beyond your control nor anything which happens without your having allowed it. There is no sin you won’t forgive us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Help us therefore Father to weather every storm, and to find a feeling of rest, and safety in your bosom. Teach us to fear nothing, and to lean on you always. Holy, Holy, Holy are you our God who is our defender and strong tower. Holy are you whose promises are true, and who will dry all of our tears, and raise us up, when your Son Jesus returns for us. Hear our prayers Abba, and love us in them as we abandon our fears to you, and ask Jesus to lighten our load. Let nothing in this world, or beyond, frighten us, for your power and strength rules supreme, and you are our God, our trustworthy protector, and our loving Father. Your mercy and grace are more than sufficient for us, and your strong right arm is able to defend us against all harm that threatens our eternal souls. We pray for the day of reckoning to come swiftly Lord, and for you to see the image of Christ in us as we stand before you on that day… see how we are unaffected, and unblemished by the hardships, elections, and all the other things of the world that have sought to threaten us. Find only the calm, rest, and assurance of our faith in you.
Amen
““So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.””
Matthew 10:26-28 ESV
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,”
Philippians 2:12 ESV
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.””
Revelation 21:3-4 ESV
Rich Forbes