Revisited Strength and Honor

Lately I've felt discouraged, tired, grievous and distressed over brothers and sisters, decisions, the world and even the church as America sees her and the choices being made. There is no question of me giving up, I wouldn't know how to. For me, my pathway of present is a way of life. It's who I am to my very core being. And giving up on that would be denying who I am and who God is calling me to be. At that point, I might as well be through with the purpose of my life here on earth. The discouragement comes in when I realize that my pathway is an exhausting one. One where I find little rest from grievous and distressed situations such as hearing of people I know of going through abortions, divorces, fights, death without Christ. It's all very distressing and exhausting.

Irony is serving the Lord in hopes that the work He has given you for this moment might minister to someone when in fact just months later, it ministers to you. Half a year ago I wrote this bit and sent it to some that are important to me. I just reread it and was encouraged in it. Here it is to share once again:

Joshua 1:9 (NIV) – Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9 (KJV) - Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

I remember watching Gladiator where in the very beginning where General Maximus was riding the line and all his soldiers collectively offered by utterance, “Strength and honor!” It was more than a salute to them, it was their way of battle, survival and life.

Not so much unlike those warriors, we too are warriors; but of a higher purpose. The battles we war over aren’t about land, lust or power. We know that as Christians we fight for the sake of eternal life; that we might know Him, the one true God, and Jesus Christ, whom He sent. Being a former combat Marine, I was trained hard and diligently that my enemy was a person. Terrorists don’t wear uniforms, so they aren’t very easily identifiable, however, they were nonetheless human. Our enemy isn’t merely the powers that feed the unsaved (where we then combat that power by preaching Christ to those unsaved). The enemy is so much more than that; it’s the flesh we live with daily. Our lustful desires to satisfy our selfish cravings for pleasure – be it money, sex, drugs, eating or drinking or really anything that doesn’t bring glory to the only Worthy One, our Father and Lord.

Wars are won one battle at a time. Each battle has it’s missions which are crucial to that battle’s success. Every mission requires planned objectives thoroughly and thoughtfully executed. So, what’s my point? Simple; pray. Often, too. We must be in constant communication with our CO (Commanding Officer). Ha ha, just had a thought: General Jesus. That’s cool! LOL. Anyway, pray for strength and courage, because we are commanded to be strong and of a good courage. The mere fact that this is a command transcends to a promise to us – God doesn’t command us to do things that we are unable to do, and through Him we will prevail. So, He commanded us to be strong and of a good courage, then have His strength and be of His courage. We are ordered to be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed. DO NOT be afraid! He is there. Always. Everywhere. With all power and grace, He lovingly protects us and guides us. But just as Peter began to sink in the water when he took his eyes off of Jesus, let that remind us to remain focused, stay the course and be in the light and in doing so WE WILL WALK ON WATERS!