on the frontlines
I was listening to a sermon by Bill Johnson this morning, and one of the things he mentioned that resonated with me was that you can always tell where a person is in relation to the battle lines based on the kinds of problems they have.
They are concerned with having enough ammunition. Concerned about keeping their head down, not getting in the line of fire. They want to know where their partners in battle are.
They aren't concerned about whether someone likes them or not. They don't have a lot of material concerns. They aren't concerned about whether someone has said a rumor about them or not. What's being served in the mess hall tonight. Somehow those things, those items of importance dissipate in being in the front lines of battle.
We gain from each others strengths in battle. Conversely, never is just one person affected by their own sin. Israel always sought the Lord on how to win the battle and followed His directions. And in the times they lost, they encouraged themselves and got into right battle array, which means back into proper alignment with the others in battle with them. The enemy always goes for the weak line, always looking for where there is sin and not proper alignment.
It's a unique battle we are fighting. Breakthrough and celebration come when we see the unique victories that come into peoples lives. Permanent salvation victories!
Last Sunday evening, our church had a time of prayer and worship. In the morning service, there was a sense of the Lord about to breakthrough, but also sense of fear that was holding people back. Fear of surrendering, fear of the character of the Holy Spirit. How many of us believe He is not gentle in nature but has come to wreak havoc and expose us publically for the filthy sinners we are?
Yet in the evening, among the growing shadows of the sun, we got to experience that breakthrough of hearts coming alive in Christ. Some paralyzed from past hurts, sin, some discouraged hearts - whatever - God showed up to heal them all.
Several of us bowed on the steps in the front area of the stage in the cafeteria we meet in, as we all sang "How He Loves Us", asking the Lord to show us His presence and to let us feel how much He loves us. It's the prayer He loves to answer.
This week as we continue on our fast, I know God is using it as a spiritual lightening rod in so many ways, as our pastor Jonathan would say. I know He is in my life. There is freedom, there is strength, there is a bringing to the surface all that we would rather deny or look away from. He's dealing with it all and He is bringing into proper alignment those soldiers who are on the frontlines.
Where are you in the battle?