“They are wandering aimlessly in the land; the wilderness has shut them in,” says Pharaoh in the book of Exodus. “So, he chased after them with all the horses and chariots…his horsemen and his army, and they overtook them camping by the sea.”

Pharaoh is certain he’s about to demonstrate his might and return these slaves back to their yokes. Sadly, to God’s chosen people, slavery is a preferred option to an inevitable wilderness funeral.

The odds makers would not have given Israel a one in a 1,000 shot at prevailing in this situation. Back to bondage would be the slam-dunk outcome.  While this was the apparent reality, Jehovah’s perspective was radically different. He said, “I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” In reality, the Lord had lured Pharaoh into his trap. God had his enemy precisely where he wanted him.

 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:4)

The evening news is a troubling reminder the human race (God’s people included) is still, very much, wandering in the wilderness, hemmed in between evil hordes and apparently impossible circumstances. Most people (especially God’s) are anticipating the chaos this inevitable squeeze is going to cause. It is not just a matter of if, it’s now a matter of when and how much.

In light of the instruction of Romans 15:4, is this not a fair question: “Is it possible that in our times, God is maneuvering his enemies into the same trap into which he lured Pharaoh?” Could our faith be aroused to imagine God has his enemy (even in the squeeze of our impossible circumstances) right where he wants him?

 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)

The actual rulers of this world (i.e. principalities and powers), under command of Satan are not armed with AK-47’s and nerve gas. They are armed with sophisticated and strategically organized lies. Scripture calls these empty deceptions, traditions of men, philosophies, elementary principles, fortresses, speculations and lofty things, all raised up against the knowledge of God. It can be a troubling reality to grasp that our primary residence is not America the Beautiful, the Land of the Free—it’s a high stakes battlefield.

We have much in common with Israel. Our battle appears to be lost. Like the surrounded Israelites, we look around us. In front, we see an increasingly unstable world ready to be grabbed up by any one of a growing number of opportunistic and well-armed despots. We look behind us and see a formidable array of ill-intentioned forces, prepared to escort us back into slavery.

Our enemy’s tools are well placed lies, intended to deceive and to enslave. Our primary obstacle is our vision. Our shackles are not on our legs and arms. We are shackled-in-heart in every place we are agreeing with one or many of the enemy’s lies, and they are Legion. If we say, “This does not apply to me; I am American! I am free to choose,” we only demonstrate our bondage. While we’re declaring our independence, the enemy laughs, and we robotically feast upon the half-truths and blatant lies which have become our reality—the enslaving codes and traditions we use to get by. Nevertheless, Jehovah has a plan up the sleeve of his mighty right arm. He has actually revealed it already.

The apostle Paul would say, “You are bound in heart because “you are looking at things as they are outwardly” (II Corinthians 10:3-7). He would go on: “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8).

 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. (II Corinthians 10:3-5)

Paul’s circumstances were every bit as dire as those we face. I believe Paul clearly saw the battle. He even saw us fighting and he envisioned a day when the tide of warfare has turned and the prophets words have come true: “One day the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14).

This knowledge will not be God-facts gleaned and stored away in our brains. This knowledge will be lived Truth, discovered by God’s people, who found themselves just about where Israel was. This people will be the disciplined repentant children of God who discovered where this world’s empty deceptions had woven their way into their beliefs and values. Their minds have been renewed. Their hearts have been renovated.

Living Truth will one day be manifest when God’s people realize they are the temples of God. The revelation of God’s address on earth will transform the battle field. In an earth with men filled with the experiential knowledge of God, the enemy’s days will be numbered. The testimonies of transformed men will overcome the prince of the power of the air.

This day will be established by a people who have discovered that Christ’s presence in them constitutes the now dimension of God’s kingdom. In Christ, the kingdom of God has come and, at the same time, it is coming, and it shall know no decrease. It grows as one lie after another is exposed and displaced by living Truth.

In Christ, a new Exodus began. Father invites us to face our enemies. They are no match for him. However, the battle is so close (as close as our own hearts) we rarely see it. While the enemy may have done an exceptional job at hemming us in, the Lord has him right in his cross hairs. Jesus shall prevail!

Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts. (Proverbs 4:23 The Message)

Father, raise up fresh divisions of the kingdom family-army who have surrendered to your rule. May we arise with militant hearts to discover that it was for such a time as this we were born. Amen.

 

 

Share via
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap