THERE IS A BATTLE
Kimberly Lawrence
Today's Scripture: “When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work.” Nehemiah 4:15, ESV
Theme: Don’t be distracted by enemies and their plans. When God moves to allow your work to continue, faithfully return to that work.
GOD VS. EVIL
Since 2001, the Gallup Poll has tracked American’s belief in “spiritual entities:” God, angels, heaven, hell, and the devil. In each of the five surveys, spanning over two decades, the highest rate of belief has consistently been in the existence of God, followed by heaven and angels. The belief in hell, and the devil, routinely trails behind.
If, as a culture, we believe in “good,” why do we dismiss the notion of an opposite force of darkness? My theory is that it’s because it is generally unpleasant. It’s certainly more comfortable to think of entering the glorious gates of heaven and strolling down streets of gold instead of spending eternity in a place of fire and unending punishment. But, if we believe the Bible’s claim that heaven is for real, we also need to believe in hell as taught in that same source. We must also consider that the forces of evil arrayed against goodness exist in this life on earth, too.
ACKNOWLEDGE THE ENEMY
Sometimes an enemy arrives with great force. In my everyday life, these are the “big” and obvious things that cause me to ask God, “Why?” The loss of a loved one; abuse of a child; a terminal illness, natural disaster, or catastrophe. But sometimes the enemy is present in more subtle ways, like when I find myself distracted during prayer, failing to prioritize communal worship, or being selfish with my time and money. I’ve tried to make a habit of calling the devil out when I feel him working against me. For example, have you ever made plans to attend Sunday morning worship only to find that your kids slept in, you stepped on a Lego in the dark, spilled your coffee after you got dressed, or realized you need gas when you started the car? Any one of those things (which have all happened at one time or another) can derail you, put you in a bad mood, and change the course of the day. OR you can recognize the enemy’s part in keeping you from God and say, “NOT TODAY, SATAN! I will press on.” I am not suggesting there is a demon behind every bush: some things are just a part of life on earth. But a succession of events aimed at your spiritual walk could definitely be a spiritual battle!
PERMISSION TO FIGHT BACK
As Christians, we strive to live like Jesus, promoting love, unity, and forgiveness. He tells us to love our enemies and turn the other cheek rather than fight with fists and stones. Yet there is, in fact, a way to fight the evil who is keeping us from God’s work.
The book of Nehemiah recounts the hearing of and lamenting the broken wall of Jerusalem. After weeping and mourning, Nehemiah begins his fight by fasting and praying to the God of Heaven before gathering fellow believers who were willing to rise up and build. Nehemiah Chapter 3 takes 32 verses to outline the various contributors who came together for a common purpose…to rebuild the wall. They were jeered, ridiculed, and threatened. Yet they pressed on by stationing various clans with swords, spears, and bows as the workers rotated on and off security duty. They rallied together for a common cause, not allowing the spirit of evil to distract them from the task to which they were called. “The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us” (Nehemiah 4:19-20, ESV).
Being a Christian is not synonymous with being a pushover. God calls us to have a spirit not of fear but of power, love and self-control. Start every fight against evil just like Nehemiah…with prayer.
Make It Personal: We must be faithful in the work God calls us to do, overcoming the adversity and inconvenience along the way. Though it may seem unpopular, the fight against evil will allow us to return peacefully to the good work. We need only to be still and allow God to fight for us. Today, go to God in focused prayer, blocking out all distraction, asking Him to set the course for you and protect you.
Pray: God, I know there are forces trying to keep me from You. They may appeal to my greed, arrogance, selfishness, or pride. Help me to see them for what they are and overcome the distraction from what You’ve called me to do. You’ve given me special gifts to contribute to the body of Your church. I want to use them according to Your plan and in Your service. Amen
Read: Psalm 140:1-2; 2 Timothy 1:7; Exodus 14:14; Psalm 35:1-2
Weekly Memory Verse:
“Then he said to me, ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.’” Zechariah 4:6, ESV