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The War Has Already Been Won

We’re all looking for grace.  For someone to look at us and say “You’re okay.  I accept you where you’re at." But who cares for you too much to let you stay there and wants to see you grow.  But it doesn't come from harsh critiques on how you need to get your act together or pointing out everything you do wrong. But by simply showing up consistently, caring for you, lovingly correcting at times, and ultimately pointing you to Jesus for your identity. Yes, humans are fallible.  We all make mistakes.  Our good intentions of helping sometimes end up hurting.  Only Jesus is our perfect picture of grace but as humans, specifically Christians, it is our call to extend grace. Grace for ourselves and grace for others. 

I’m in a battle. A battle that has waged war on my heart for years now.  Before I didn’t even know I was in a battle because I was just surrendering to my enemy without realizing it.  But now my eyes are opened.  But the thing is, even with my eyes open, I still all too often surrender to my enemy. My enemy is subtle, pretending to be my best confidant, luring me in, convincing me that this and that will make me so much happier than what God offers. And the fact is that most times I have to wait on God to provide for me.  I mean who likes to wait? Not me. I justify. I give in. I settle for the here and now.  I don’t even know what victory looks like, let alone the first step.

“I lift my eyes—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Ps. 121:1-2

Maybe I just haven’t asked the Commander for the proper equipment in order to fight this battle...

“Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the powers of this dark world. Put on the full armor and stand. Stand firm. Stand with the belt of truth around your waist. Stand with the breastplate of righteousness in place.  Stand with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  Stand with the shield of faith to extinguish flaming arrows from the enemy.  Stand with the helmet of salvation.  Stand with the sword of the Spirit, the word of God. And pray. Pray about everything.” Eph 6:10-18

There's an interesting passage in 2 Kings 6 that I love.  A large army is coming to attack Israel and Elisha, a prophet who had warned the king of Israel of the attack. They are surrounded. Elisha's servant in panic comes to Elisha and asks what they are to do since their army is outnumbered.  Elisha, in calmness, says not to be afraid and that those who are with us are more than those with them. And he prays that the Lord would open the servant's eyes.  The servant then looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around, a band of angel armies. God would fight this battle. They needed only to trust Him.

I know who stands before me.  I know who stands behind. The God of angel armies is always on my side. The Lord is my light and my salvation.  Whom shall I fear? We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us! Yes, I'm in a battle but the war has already been won.  I need only trust and rely on the One who continues to fight for me, fight for my good.

13 days and counting then I'm Aussie bound!

Comments

  1. AnonymousFebruary 8, 2013 at 10:24 PM

    Good luck, Wanda and I will be praying for you, while you are there try not to try and figure out why god has put you there at that time and place, he will show you.

    ReplyDelete

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