Galatians chapter 6 verse 9: "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."
This was illustrated in the American Civil War, 1861 to 1865. In this war, the North (the Union) had overwhelming advantages of every sort, and the Southern (the Confederate) top generals knew it. Therefore, these generals knew they had to make the North grow weary in the fight and sue for peace. Their plan was to win a major battle in the north to make the people of the north think that this war was too costly to fight. They chose Harrisburg, PA and got as far as Gettysburg, PA but were stopped. Thus, they failed. But the war was not over. The North could still grow weary of this war and be tempted to give up.
Believers also have an enemy who knows he can't win. His name is Satan. His plan is to deceive the Christian community and individual believers into thinking the battle is too costly, so just give up. And he's very clever about it!
So how do we fight? We not only want to fight defensively but offensively and put Satan down! That brings to mind Ephesians chapter 6 verses 11-18 in which we read about the armor of God.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
There are two (yes two!) offensive weapons here to be used in your fight with the enemy: 1. The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God! 2. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit!
Use them both! Know and speak the Word (the Bible)! Pray in the Spirit!
One last thing: In Second Kings chapter 6 I want to share this one verse (16) that Elisha shared with his servant when the Syrian king came to capture him.
14 Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. 15 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”
16 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
Likewise, we have nothing to fear for our God (our Father!) is greater, much greater, than the enemy as is written in First John chapter 4 verse 4:
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
All scripture quoted here is from the NKJV.
Larry Carroll
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