Brief Mention of Battle

Maintaining resolve in the midst of a battle isn't a matter of choice. Especially when, in truth, the attack has come because of advances for the cause of the Lord. Pressing in to Him, pressing onward for the sake of the Kingdom of God, pursuing Him with a desire unto utmost abandon.

Such is anathema to the enemy.

But Jesus said that the gates of hell would not prevail against us.

Again and again, these past many months, that brief bit of Scripture has come back to mind. People of God talking about the purpose of a gate, especially in context of Christ's statement.

A gate can keep people in, but that's really not the purpose. In Christ, we're freed from the dominion of sin, so the gates of Hell no longer constitute our domain. Rather, being translated into Christ's Kingdom...we have become enemies of the former.

And those who follow Christ are given, by Him, to act. Even be it in prayer, as always in prayer primarily do we advance...

...then however He gives us to move, to act, to do, to speak, to seek Him...

...so long as we're warring against our own flesh, still, as being in the midst of the world yet not longer of it...

...then our very lives constitute an offense to the powers of the world. Our very existence is set against the powers of wickedness, the spiritual powers of this world, the prince of darkness. The accuser.

That cannot be avoided, in following Christ. It's just a matter of fact. And all the more reason to die daily to the flesh, that by God's grace and mercies, made new every day...we would give no place to the devil.

None.

I know these aren't comfortable things to talk about, in a lot of ways. Given the last few weeks in my own life, and whatever other reasons the Lord has for so allowing, taking an open stance on this matter is of importance.

I once sought to bargain with satan. I once attempted to make a pact. And I don't know if that's why there've been the threats and attempted bouts of nonsense, or if it's only par for the course of coming to Christ...but there've been threats made again, openly, these past couple weeks.

And, quite frankly, it's beginning to have been old. It's nonsense.

My life is in God's hands. Jesus Christ purchased it with His blood, with His suffering, with His life. My soul is hid in Him, and all that I am is His. So, these threats are as unto a dead man walking by the power of God, alone. I don't think they quite have begun to grasp that yet, but it's the case.

And the Lord has been so merciful to me as to have had that be a continual waking, experiential reality, even so as to know the truth of it all the more blatantly, humbled and grateful.

The Lord will work it out, though. He must, and He will, because His is the power, and the kingdom, and the glory, forever. It's only my place, our place...to obey. To trust and obey, listening diligently to the Shepherd who leads in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

He will guide through the valley of the shadow of death. He never forsakes. A mighty warrior is our God. Even death He overcame in short order. Nothing can stand against Him, ultimately. When He moves, creation trembles.

He will show Himself mighty on behalf of those who strive to live uprightly before Him, those who believe Him and trust in Him wholly. Those who seek Him.

Jesus is willing. He made sacrifice that these things could be done, by Him unto us. Through Him. God Incarnate.

So, when the enemy comes, I will trust my Lord to raise up a standard against him and drive them all out as though purged by the very breath of God. For His banner over us is love, which casts out fear. And covers a multitude of sins.

Our Redeemer lives.