All we hear in the news these days is how our country is in trouble, and how we are getting attacked by an economic crisis. While I believe this to be true and terrible, there is another attack that I am slowly and quietly watching that rips my heart out on a whole other level. All around me I am watching a mounting and increasingly strong spiritual attack on God’s people in this world. Over the past few months, I have seen SO MUCH garbage taking place, and as I watch, friends, families and acquaintances all around me and all over this earth seem to be getting hammered in what can only be described as an all out, full scale massive attack on God’s people. I cannot explain it. But, it feels like everyone I know is getting hammered. It feels like Satan is coming at his enemy with a ferocity I have never experienced.
I have seen good people die. Beautiful children are stricken with horrible diseases. Many friends are losing jobs. Marriages of friends and family are in deep trouble. Teens are listening to lies and finding themselves in pregnancies devastating to them and their families. Missionaries are being attacked on all fronts. Dear ones are making life choices that are deadly. Friends are addicted to life-taking drugs and in trouble with the law. Children are sick. Churches are struggling. Entire Christian colleges are shutting down. And this list could go on and on.
It takes my breath away. Every corner I turn seems to be defeating. I am afraid to talk to anyone else to hear the bad news that surely must be waiting. It is getting to me and I am feeling weak.
And I do not like this, and I do not accept this! Though we are pressed on every side, we are NOT defeated! My God is stronger than all of this. I cry out to him for deliverance. Lord, please feed the hungry I see all around me. Give your people jobs. Please wipe out cancer, and protect our children. God protect our teens from the sinful influence all around them. Help us guard our hearts. God heal marriages and strengthen families. And above all, give us courage and peace dear Lord.
I cling to the promise of your son that “in this world we WILL have troubles, but take heart, for I have overcome the world!”
Guide us and strengthen us, and may we press on daily in love. We will not be defeated for He who is in us is greater than he who is in this world!
2 comments:
Amen, brother. As you know, brokenness and darkness has covered my friends in Tennessee for weeks now...I suppose it is making it's way northwest.
Yes we have overcome the world! I've been reading a lot of Anne Lamott, who talks about that beautiful something that's 'trying to get itself born' amidst our pain and distraction.
I'm speaking tomorrow at my old high school's chapel. My topic? Awakening. I truly believe God is rising up a group of His followers who are ready to come alive and to be awake!
give them heaven my friend! I pray it goes well.....
Here we are now with the falling sky and the rain,
We're awakening
Here we are now with our desperate youth and the pain,
We're awakening
Maybe it's called ambition, you've been talking in your sleep
About a dream, we're awakening
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