“But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the LORD brought about a great victory.” (I Samuel 23:12)
Occasionally I have to read something that just motivates the socks off me – and this short burst of scripture happens to be one of them. Come along on this journey with me, won’t you?
The Philistines were a constant, recognized enemy of the people of Israel. Israel has been under attack ever since they gained their promised land from the Lord. Thousands of years has passed and still we find them fighting for the right to protect their land. Amazing. One thing I know for sure: God has always and WILL always back the nation of Israel in their undertakings. They are His precious prize, His chosen people and they will continue to be until the end of the world. Period.
One thing we forget as Christians, however. We, too, are God’s chosen people. We are grafted into the vine of Israel through the sacrificial act of Christ on the cross. We have been adopted into the family; therefore, we are partakers of their favor. I know this riles up a lot of people when I write things like this, but I challenge you to search the scriptures and you will find it so. We are part of the family and posterity of Abraham. We who are saved have been hand-picked and chosen by God to be His children. There can be no biblical argument against this truth.
There is one comment that will get me stirred up faster than any other and, unfortunately, I have heard it come from the mouth of “enlightened Christians” from all walks of life. That statement is this: “Violence is never the answer.” If you want to see my eyes light up with the righteous indignation of God, go ahead and say that to me! What an ignorant comment! I have heard it from women’s rights activists, I have heard it from public leaders, I have heard it from the pulpit! And each time, I have challenged it.
I agree that violence for the fun of it is stupid. I said it – STUPID. There is no place for foolish violence within the body of Christ. That I will concede. However, there comes a time when the children of God must stand up and fight for what they believe (if they truly believe). The very definition of violence is to stand up with vehemence, with force, with firm beliefs - In other words, we are to meet force with force. Old-time Pentecostal preachers used to talk about storming the gates of hell to rescue our loved ones. Jesus Himself, in His teaching of Matthew 11:12 said this: “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” Brothers and sisters, there comes a time when we MUST take a stand against the ruling forces of this world – whether it be to rescue a loved one from total destruction, to fight unjust laws being passed in our land, or to protect the godly heritage we represent in our own lives and that of our nation. This is not a time for stupidity and blind violence. This is a time for concerted, organized, side-by-side combat against the forces of evil! This is the time for violence.
I know there will be some who disagree with me on this. I get that. However, if you have ever had a child living in sin on their way to a devil’s hell, you understand that little “now I lay me down to sleep” prayers just aren’t going to cut it! Merely attending church services every week and living in the world the rest of the time isn’t going to cut it. If ever we need to stand strong on our faith and fight the good fight of faith it is now. The days are growing short before the return of the Lord and when that time comes there will be no time to get right with God. You need to get right and stay right, for the victory doesn’t go to those who begin the race, but to those who hold on to the end. The last one standing when the trumpet blows is the victor.
We know it is only through Christ we will have this victory – sure. But He calls us to battle. Onward, Christian soldiers marching as to war. With the cross of Jesus going on before… Wake up, sleepy Christian. Rouse yourself from your slumber. Strap on your armor and join us in this battle. Fall into formation with Christ as the Supreme Commander, receive your orders, and execute!
Be blessed.
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