Just as we feel the coronavirus rollercoaster slow, allowing our spinning worlds to calm, our disorientation to adjust, and our expectations rise the ride will end soon, the tracks take an unexpected turn into a dark tunnel. A neon flashing light fizzles and spits the word “horror” as our vision fills with surreal sights and images. Pinned to the ground, a man pleads for breath. Crowds fired-up with frustration and anger, protest in peace but with passion for justice. Their lawful gathering soon tainted, then dangerously infected by those spouting hate, greed and violence. Streets fill with antagonism, smoke and tear gas. We stand in shock watching public buildings and businesses trashed, torched, and smoldering. We’re pulled into screens where heavily geared police form lines of protection, yet face vicious ridicule and physical attacks. Once again we face frustration, uncertainty, and feelings of helplessness.
As these bizarre life events swirl around us, there are two things we must remember.
1. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against Satan and his horde who are bent on evil and destruction. (Ephesians 6:12) Our destruction. The battle is spiritual. Manifest through physical and emotional conflict and struggle, yes. But behind those physical demonstrations we see and feel, lie the bedrock spiritual conflicts of good versus evil. Of love versus hate. Trust versus fear. Joy versus discouragement and woe. Peace versus discord and fighting. Good will and kindness versus hostility. Truth versus lies and deception. On these foundational clashes, the true battle rages. Everything God and His Kingdom project and represent, Satan and his kingdom attempt to falsify and destroy.
When our inappropriate responses of judgement, anger, arrogance, or defensiveness start to surface and spill over searing others, we need to pull back and remember our ultimate battle is not with an individual person or group of people. We struggle against spiritual darkness and all the filth and hate it belches into the world.
As we stop battling each other, and focus on waging war against these spiritual enemies, we realize we must fight in God’s strength not our own; with holy weapons, not physical ones. Armed with munitions of truth and righteousness; faith and the gospel of peace; holding fast to salvation and the Word of God, we begin to see lasting change. Solid transformation. Miraculous victories. Manmade weapons and barriers are laid down and broken through by the power of God and His fiery love for all mankind. (Ephesians 6:14-18; John 3:16)
2. There is a safe and secure place to dwell. When hards, conflicts and struggles stretch out over long periods of time, one piling on top of another, we start to lose confidence a quiet, peaceful place exists. A safe haven. Solid ground where our shaking legs can find strength to stand.
Again, if we cling to what we have in the physical realm, we are bound for disappointment and defeat. Our physical securities are helpful to a degree, and we are thankful for them, but when even they are threatened and begin to crumble, we need to look beyond the physical world and recognize what we cannot see, but is very, very real. The spiritual realm. There we find the answer to our longing. The resource to fill all our needs. Summed up in one name. Jesus.
For our Lord embodies all we crave in these times. He is the still, quiet place in the raging storm. Our safe, granite fortress in violent war. He is solid ground when everything around us shakes. He is the anchor in seething seas. He holds Truth high, untouchable and unchanging in roiling, oceans of lies. He is Light in the darkness. Joy in drowning sorrow.
If we come to Jesus, and still ourselves in His presence, literally all hell can break loose around us and our soul will be untouched. Tranquil. Unfazed. We discover all of His strength at our disposal. Perfect security awaits us in His outstretched hand. Answers, direction, comfort – everything we need we find in His presence. If we abide in Him, as He has instructed (John 15:5), we can withstand any and all storms. Not just survive, but be nourished and thrive in the chaos. So that with His strength and compassion pouring through us, we can turn and reach out to love a hurting, lost world around us, serving them and pointing them to Jesus.
“Oh, Jesus, we run to You, throwing ourselves into the arms of our Savior. Wrapping ourselves in the swirling, brilliance of your love. We call upon your power and your light and your mercy to stay the advance of evil and demolish strongholds that threaten to tear us down. To divide us. To destroy us. Help us to live fully in your eternal Kingdom, even as we walk through conflict and troubles in this earthly kingdom. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, amen.”
“The spacious, free life is from God,
It’s also protected and safe.
God-strengthened, we’re delivered from evil –
when we run to him, He saves us.”
Psalm 37:39-40 The Message
Photo by KEEM IBARRA on Unsplash
