The Battle Is Real

 

* I wrote this back in April 2018, eight years ago. I am once again currently teaching this book to my middle school students, so I decided to pull this “out of the archives.”

The classic novel The Hobbit is about a fictional creature named Bilbo Baggins who goes on an adventure to help reclaim a treasure from an evil dragon. He is a very hesitant member of a party of fourteen on a journey that proves very treacherous and challenging. Throughout the journey, as he encounters trolls, wolves, and giant spiders, Bilbo often longs for his comfortable chair back home and a nice meal. The group finally makes it to the Lonely Mountain, the home of the dragon and the immense treasure, and after seeing proof of the treasure there, they excitedly talk about all the gold and jewels. However, the excitement is short-lived as they remember the dragon guarding the treasure. The author Tolkien comments, “It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him.”

As I am teaching this book to my 7^th and 8^th grade English class, I am finding that I am very much like Bilbo Baggins. I like comfort; I’d prefer to stay home and not engage in any adventure that could be frightening. Yet this is where The Hobbit ties in to real life and what the Lord has been teaching me lately. (You’ve been wondering where this is going, right?)

There is a battle raging. There is a dragon afoot.  And I can’t stay in the comfort of my couch and a warm meal, oblivious to the battle or pretending it doesn’t exist. I have been reminded of this as I, along with many women at Grace, am participating in the Bible study on the Armor of God. In this study, Priscilla Shirer is challenging us to open our eyes to the battle, to be on the alert, and to be prepared against the enemy’s attacks. The study centers on Ephesians 6 where the Bible tells us about this battle that we are in, against whom we are fighting, and what we should do about it.

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (vs. 11-12)

This is battle language; Paul is warning all believers to stand firm and stay on the alert, realizing that our enemy, though unseen, is very real. This enemy is Satan, along with a host of evil followers. Of the three enemies the Bible tells us about (Satan, the world, and our flesh), Satan is the one I overlook in my personal life. I’m very aware of the sin I battle in the flesh as well as the world’s temptations, but I do not stay on the alert against Satan’s tactics.  Yet I Peter tells us that he “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” This is serious. Tolkien’s statement above applies well here: “It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him.”

Recently I was talking to Kelly about some fears I’d been dealing with in my mind that had really overwhelmed me. He gently said, “Amy, that is not God’s voice. That is the enemy; he knows where you’re weak and is attacking you in that area.” Wow; that gave me perspective. I didn’t have to listen to those feelings or fears; I had to fight against them with the truth of God’s Word. Up to that point, I hadn’t seen it as a spiritual attack. Yet, I believe that is what it was. The spiritual forces of evil were battling for my mind, my thoughts, trying to get me to take my eyes off God. We must be on the alert.

Yet, sisters, here is the good news - the best news. God has already won this battle! The dragon knows he will not win. He will be defeated. And in the meantime, as we live in this fallen world and must fight against Satan and his spiritual forces, God has given us armor that works. We too can be victorious! May we be on the alert, arm ourselves for battle, and keep our eyes fixed on the One who always leads us triumphantly in Him.

-- Amy O’Rear

 

Oh, That Men Would Praise the Lord for His Goodness!

 

Recent events both in the world and in the lives of people I know have brought to my attention the lovely life I have. The fact that I enjoy good health, have a working car, can attend interesting events, am able to worship regularly with other believers—all these and more inspire me to thank God over and over for my good life. I know that I did nothing to earn my blessings. Nor did you.

Nor did many people of the world do anything to earn their much-less-enjoyable life. It is true that we can bring illness and disaster upon ourselves by our own foolishness, as noted in Psalm 107:17—“Fools, because of their rebellious way and because of their iniquities, were afflicted.” But just two verses later we read that, when these people cry out to God, He saves them. And sometimes the trouble comes totally unexpected. 

John tells the story of a blind man who was healed by Jesus. The disciples wanted to know “who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?” Jesus replied that the man’s blindness was not caused by sin but was “in order that the works of God might be displayed in him” (John 9: 2-3).

Whatever our lot in life, we should be giving glory to God, both in our private worship and in public testimony. When I was a young girl, I was attending one of those all-day-meeting-and-dinner-on-the-grounds affairs at an old country church in the hills of West Virginia. After our sumptuous picnic lunch (dinner on the grounds), we all met back inside the church for a standing-room-only service. I recall being just inside the door, surrounded by tall people. I could just hear the preacher asking if anyone had a word of testimony for the Lord. Silence. He asked again. More silence. Then the preacher held up his Bible and in a loud voice proclaimed, “The Bible says, ‘Let the redeemed of the LORD say so!”

I didn’t know it then, but now I know that this verse is found in Psalm 107:2. Following that verse are many different situations in which people might call upon God for help. A repeated refrain in the psalm says, “Oh that men would praise the LORD for this goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men.”

As James reminds us, every good gift comes from God. The Sunday afternoon nap, the rain for the tomatoes you might set out this week, health to get up and get your work done, freedom from war, salvation from deserved punishment. And sometimes the good gift is relief from pain, comfort in a time of war, help in the midst of grief.

Life is full of experiences that we might deem good or bad, but all are opportunities to honor and praise God for his goodness. If you were in church to hear Dima and Maria Kotik, you were surely blessed as I was to hear how God has upheld them in very difficult circumstances. You heard Maria say that she finds help and comfort in praying scripture. These dear people are a wonderful example of those who might be tempted to complain but who praise God instead.

So this week, regardless of what happens to us: Let the redeemed of the LORD say so!

--Sherry Poff

The Dented Cup

 

Sacrifice is counter-cultural. We live in a society that affirms a “me-first” life. Shoving people in line on Black Friday, honking and yelling our way down the street because Grandpa is driving too slow in front of us, ranting and raving about our Amazon delivery being delayed to day three… Even the idea of self care can lead to an expectation of self-first being the most important way of living. I must know what I need When used appropriately, it is good to find rest and reset, but when it becomes idolatry, it leads us away from Christ-likeness. Yet sacrifice is the theme of the gospel for the believer.

We are constantly fighting against self, sin and Satan. All three pulling us and pointing us away from the Living Sacrifice. All three thriving on the moments we turn inward, self centered, prideful. And those choices leading us to times of folly and dissatisfaction and despair. While sacrifice may be counter-cultural, it is in fact Christ cultural and because of His work in our lives, should be the hope of our hearts. 

As a parent, I find my lack of sacrifice to be glaring. The number of things that pull at me the moment I sit down on the couch for the first time of the day: “Mom, this toy needs new batteries.” “Mom, I’m hungry.” “Mom, come look at what I did!” “Can you play a game of knock-out?” The requests go on and on. And all I want to do is live my life, my way. And yes, there are times for the little ones to practice patience, or receive a “no,” but when the little demands on my own time and interest can be answered with love, a sacrifice of time or energy, that goes a long way too. Because we know this to be true: there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:13)

 One of Gavin and my college professors, Dwight Peterson, used to share an illustration in some of his messages. He talked about a time he and his wife had gone out for a fast food meal together. While getting the drinks for the two of them, Dwight grabbed two lids to put on the cups. As he popped them on, he noticed one cup was slightly dented. He went back to the table and moved to hand his wife the dented cup. Immediately convicted about the lack of love this was showing, he switched it and took the dented one for himself. Such a minor, minute detail that would have caused her no harm, and yet he realized the intent of his heart was to provide the better option for himself. Sometimes Gavin and I laugh to each other as we find ourselves reaching for the slightly better option and reference the dented cup. 

All of these are such small examples of sacrifice. Which, again, I believe shows the immensity of the “me-first” lives we live. Today we celebrate Easter. Resurrection Sunday. The celebration of life eternal because of the greatest sacrifice ever made. So, let’s take a moment to remind ourselves of this sacrifice:

Romans 5:8 “But God shows His love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 

Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

2 Corinthians 5:21 “For our sake, he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Isaiah 53:5 “But He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds are we healed.”

The perfect, righteous Son of God bearing the weight of our sin, fulfilling the punishment of our death, feeling the separation of the Father. Physical, spiritual torment and abuse at the hands of the ones He loves, the ones He created. The sacrifice that freed, gave hope and a future, destroyed guilt and death. Unmatchable, incomparable. And it is with this freedom through sacrifice that we are called to sacrifice for others. To live counter culturally and continue to model Christ in us. Take the dented cup. 

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

 --Sandy Gromacki