Yes, but stay wise

I heard someone say once that we are too inundated with the “poor me” and “this battle is not mine”, mindset in our culture today. In a Christian setting the majority of messages you hear preached are about “overcoming”, “you can do it”, “don’t give up!” I agree we should focus on the good happening all around us and not be too internally focused on our issues, BUT – I also think we have to stay wise. We have to be alert. We have to understand there is a fight we are in every single day. It doesn’t mean we walk around looking and feeling hopeless, or on the contrary be naïve and ignore prayer which keeps us wise and alert. I think we can be joyful and wise at the same time. But we must be ready to fight battles.

The more I write and put content out there bringing people to God – the more joy I feel. My husband tells me all the time that I am a totally different person when I write consistently. BUT the more I write the more I feel like I am in a new battle every moment. As I wrote these words yesterday afternoon, I spent half my morning again – upset arguing with God over an issue my son is dealing with which I wrote about in Tuesday’s post. I had to regain my composure and open my eyes to what is really happening. Sure, the issue my son is dealing with is real. It’s hurtful. But it’s not my issue to solve. It’s God’s issue. I’ve cried to God. I have asked God to give me wisdom. I have asked God for victory in this situation for my son. What else can I do?

And then…something struck me…

When did this start?

This issue with my son only started a few weeks ago – as I started writing more and more Biblical content sharing Jesus Christ.  I wasn’t putting two and two together at first. Oh, how Satan just sits back and laughs at us.

Well, let him laugh because being wise to the reality of these battles helps us pray more. It helps us fight more. It helps us call to God more. It reminds us to be strong and courageous. It keeps me writing Biblical content drawing people to Jesus Christ – or keeps you doing whatever God has called you to do for Him. It can help us be joyful and full of encouragement when our eyes are open to the spiritual battles we face every single day. I almost didn’t write this post because I was so upset. I almost went on a rabbit trail to fix the issue myself which would have caused me to not have time to write. But we must be strong…

2 Chronicles 32: 7-8 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of men, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.”

Who is on Your Side?

I would encourage you to read 2 Chronicles 32, but the short version for this blog post is, the Assyrian army tried to invade Jerusalem. Hezekiah quickly did what was necessary to protect Jerusalem and the people. He consulted his military advisers. They stopped the flow of the spring water outside the city, and they began to prepare a broken section on the wall. They erected towers and constructed a second wall. And then Hezekiah encouraged his people with the powerful words in the above verse. Do not be afraid! They (the Assyrians) are fighting as mere men, but we have the Lord our God to fight our battles.

The king of Assyria, King Sennacherib decided to mock Hezekiah and God by laughing at Hezekiah,

2 Chronicles 32:13-14 “Do you not know what I and my predecessors have done to all the peoples of the other lands? Were the gods of those nations ever able to deliver their land from my hand? Who of all the gods of these nations that my predecessors destroyed has been able to save his people from me? How then can your god deliver you from my hand?

King Sennacherib would quickly learn more about the God he chose to mock.

2 Chronicles 32:20-22 King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to heaven about this. And the Lord sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and the commanders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king. So, he withdrew to his own land in disgrace. And when he went into the temple of his god, some of his sons, his own flesh and blood, cut him down with the sword.

If God will annihilate the king of the Assyrian’s army, (a mighty earthly power) what will He do for you against the defeated foe Satan? Have you cried out to God for victory in your battle? I wonder about these powerful stories of victory in the Bible. I often wonder if the determined faith caused God to meet people where they were? I wonder if our weak faith – thinking we are defeated already – and fighting against the wrong enemy causes us to see less victories?

There will always be a battle friend. I am sorry to say it. The moment you think everything is going good. Be ready to fight. The moment you have a win with God. Be ready to fight. The moment you start a new adventure for God. Be ready to fight. There’s no need to feel sorry for yourself. Be happy and joyful because we are not fighting battles against mere human beings, we have the Lord on our side. He wants you to call Him to battle with you. He isn’t upset with you. He wants victory too for His glory. Be upset for only a moment, it’s natural, but then start laughing at Satan – because with God on your side today, who can be against you? No one!

~Saleama A. Ruvalcaba, MATS

Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? If not email today and I will pray with you.