Friday, May 27th, 2022
I heard the gentle buzz of my phone next to the bed. Unless it’s an unknown number calling from the other side of the world I take it as an emergency call and answer. This time it was a member of one of the local congregations in NYC in need of prayers; some specific prayers. Moments later I received a text message from another member also in need of prayers and advice. A few nights before I received a message from a member who had found themselves in crisis, not knowing the way out. Another message was simply a question that has been answered, but still there was doubt or perhaps just misunderstanding.
It’s quiet out this morning. The sun is up, but the usual East Texas heat of the month of May has been reduced to a beautiful and comfortable spring morning. I brewed a cup of coffee and then headed outside to take advantage of the quiet morning and fresh air. One of our nephews is going to graduate today and we are blessed to be able to see it happen in person.
This week alone has been news worthy for many reasons. Here in Texas, just a few days ago, there was a shooting at an elementary school that came as many students in the US are finishing the school year. There are, of course, ongoing stories of battles in Ukraine between Ukrainian and Russian forces. There are also news stories about floods, economic turmoil in many countries, food shortages, abortion laws, disease spread, and so many other ongoing situations of all kinds. Many of these situations have caused debates among friends and family members. I’ve even seen debates among brethren who have differing ideas about possible solutions to ongoing problems.
I’m not one for debating political solutions or conspiracies. I couldn’t come up with what might lead the world to the change needed on a massive global scale to eliminate war and infighting, or to eradicate the pestilence of lawlessness and hatred that has stemmed from the turning away of the hearts of men from God. Human nature and the deceptive influence from the demonic world are both so pervasive and the love of many has begun to grow cold more rapidly. Just thinking about the whole state of the world can be very disheartening. Not to mention each individual battle (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual) that we are all fighting. The small crises don’t go away just because attention turns to the larger ones.
In times like this what are God’s people supposed to do? Should we take up arms against those who desire to fight? Should we uphold the hands of those in positions of influence who we believe might have a good solution? Do we enter into debates hoping we might have a chance of convincing others of our point of view?
Scripture is very clear that the battles we should be waging begin with those internal battles against our own human nature and selfishness which we ourselves use to convince ourselves that our sins are somehow justified. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled” (2 Corinthians 10:3-6).
With our battles waging our hope is not in any attempted solution of the modern age, nor in ourselves to overcome on our own. “Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps truth forever, who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; the Lord raises those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; but the way of the wicked He turns upside down” (Psalm 146:5-9).
– Lewis VanAusdle
Leave a Reply