Forgetting to rest in the Lord in the midst of that isn't good. Not quite a week ago, that allowed for giving place. Infiltration per confusion, per unwitting concession. Under the preliminary guise of conceding to civility.
But there's no room for concession on that front, instead to be given entirely to the Lord.
What's so disconcerting on the human front of this all is the continual assault of being tempted to believe that outward expressions of civility are warranted in all instances. But...in instance, there's no room for being complacent on any front.
In instance, there's room for naught but steadfast, staunch defiance against evil. Not as a personal stance, but per course of remaining wholly given to the Lord's protective and unyielding embrace.
Otherwise, if there's a personal stake taken...in many instances there's a sliver of room yet yielded to an alternate attack from the enemy, whereby hard-heartedness can begin to come in as a requirement for attaining and maintaining a sense of self-justification.
We're not justified, in ourselves. As neither are we righteous, in ourselves.
Both are in Christ, alone, ultimately. And anything short of yielding up to that truth, in spirit and as a whole (to what extents He ever increasingly graciously yields)...allows for that dependence upon self which would also begin to wield weapons of the flesh against spiritual forces. Which isn't effective, ultimately.
A slower falter, maybe. Slower than the immediacy of giving place per unwitting concession to evil's presence. But no less a falter, ultimately.
The Lord can and does recover ground, though. He protects His own. Despite our efforts apart from Him.
There's no sufficient strategy to combat evil, though. Spiritual machinations are too nefarious and slippery--seeking any and all concessions, in the heat of battle, unto any immediate or eventual decline.
But the thing is, Jesus knows all about it. He's not slow to react. He's not slow to act. And He's not uninvolved. Whatever He permits, He does so as unto a greater good. So whatever ground might have seemed to be yielded or given over, per unwitting concession or malappropriation of resources or unwarranted leaning upon human understanding...no less will He nonetheless overcome.
In His own time. In His own way. By His will and according to His infinite wisdom and love toward those who are His.
He remains undaunted, no matter what's done. And no amount of trickery or treachery or taunting or tainting of processes can ultimately interrupt His designs. Period.
The gates of hell itself can't stand and did not stand against Him. Nor against those whom He has ordained to likewise act on His behalf, driven thusly by His Spirit and led by such and of His Word.
He speaks and there's no recourse but submission. Period. Nothing can stand against Him.
So there's no call for likewise taunting.
There's no need. My Lord isn't a sore winner. He doesn't gloat. He presides and prevails and reigns supreme, undaunted.
And He has no use for taunts or threats. He needs none.
His Presence is enough to strike terror in the hearts of any which would dare exalt itself against Him. To flee, then. Even to flee.
We can't strategize, as such. We can act as prayerfully is given as best appropriate. And we can trust Him and strive to know Him more intimately, seeking Him in His Word and through prayer and fellowship (iron sharpening iron, and even as with the Lord, Himself).
But we rest. We wait.
He goes before us and behind us. And surrounds us. Above and beneath.
On all fronts. Our fortress and shield.
In the fire with us.
And when He calls us to enter the very depths of hell, then He is with us all the while. And it can't prevail against us. Setting captives free, then? Taking captivity captive?
I don't know. But His will will be done.
By whatever means and to whatever end--immediate or eventual, but unto His glory, even as our good.
He has called us in love. And to love.
And yet not to have fellowship with darkness.
To walk and yet not be a part. To be other, to be His.
Led, daily. Moment by moment.
He will strengthen, He will sustain, He will provide. He will lead.
Even in paths of righteousness, for His very name's sake.
Preparing a table before us in the presence of our enemies.
Anointing us. To serve. Set apart. Dwelling forever with Him.
Goodness and mercy, forever.
And that's enough.
He is enough.
Far beyond any we could ever reckon.
Zephaniah 3King James Version (KJV)3 Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!2 She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the Lord; she drew not near to her God.3 Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.4 Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.5 The just Lord is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.6 I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant.7 I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings.8 Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent.10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.11 In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain.12 I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord.13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.14 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.15 The Lord hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.18 I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden.19 Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.20 At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the Lord.
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