Where ever we may journey in life, those who follow God’s plan will most assuredly face attack at times. Although founded on Religious Freedom, even here in the United States; we seem to be under constant attack by those voices which wish to silence us. We should not be surprised. The same has been true since sin first entered the world. Those who sought God and loved His commandments were attacked. After all, Cain killed his brother Abel. The Jewish nation faced many enemies throughout their long history. Whenever they followed God; they won the battles. However, when they turned their backs on God or worshiped other idols, they would fall into the hands of their enemies. So, given our human nature to wander away from God’s side; how do we learn to stand in faith when being attacked?
ATTACKED FROM THE ENEMIES WITHIN
Sometimes the most difficult attacks come from within our own nation. They are subtle at first. We allow the change in ideology to infiltrate our own thoughts and minds until we wavered as to what we even believed. Then, we awoke from our lulled sleep last November to stand for a change by electing Donald Trump to be our next President; because, we understood that God chose Him to be our leader. Many of us wondered at first; but, over time we came to see that God chooses sometimes those whom we would have thought unlikely. From the time, President Trump started this journey until now; God has been working to transform him into the truest of leaders.
Perhaps you, as I thought on election day that the battle was over; because God had spoken. Still the battle continues. Our President, his family, and his staff aree being attacked from every side; relentlessly, even when he speaks ideas that his attackers formerly shouted for. So, the question arises; why must we continue this battle and how can we continue without losing faith. Over the course of our next few writings, I want to discuss just that. Even when it may appear that we are losing or if we lose some of the battles along the way; we must realize that the ultimate war was already won by Jesus Christ. I want to take you back through some historical battles in the Old Testament; because, I do believe there you can understand God’s strategy.
MOSES AND THE EXODUS
Moses did not believe himself to be a leader. Yet, when God called Him, he went to lead the Jewish nation out of slavery. We find this story of delivery in Exodus. At first, Moses and the people believed by faith that God would go before Moses and Pharaoh would let them go. After all, God could do that! Instead, Pharaoh’s heart hardened and he said “no”. Plague after plague, Pharaoh would say “Go” and then change his mind. With each plague the Jewish people faced increasing hatred. Furthermore, the Egyptians increased the labor of the Jewish slaves. Not exactly what they thought. We are told after the first incident; the Jews did murmur against Moses. What was God’s reply?
EXODUS 6: 2-8
And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the Lord: I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name Jehovah was I not known to them. I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers. And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.
Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the Lord your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the Lord.
I AM YAHWEH
God was about to establish beyond any shadow of doubt the truth that He is YAHWEH, LORD of ALL, the Great I AM. After this, it appears that the children of Israel continued in their labor. Their hopes would rise and fall with each pronouncement to leave followed by Pharaoh changing his mind; until, the greatest miracle did occur. They gained favor in the site of the Egyptian people.
And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. Exodus 12:36
The Egyptians gave them all that they needed for the journey! Then God said, Go. All who have studied Exodus, know that even then there was one last proclamation of God’s Glory.
PARTING THE RED SEA
So, as they were being led by God during their exodus from Egypt, they came upon the Red Sea which was too great for them to cross. The Pharaoh had changed his mind this one last time and pursued after them. Hemmed in, they had no place to retreat. Did God tell them to stand up and fight? No! What he did say was:
And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. Exodus 14:13-14
HOW ARE WE TO STAND IN FAITH WHEN BEING ATTACKED?
We are to continue in prayer; trusting that God will guide and lead us. We are to pray for our leaders. We are to continue to display with humility, God’s Grace and love. The battle is His! Let us seek Him and let Him lead the way.
concluding tweets
[tweetthis]Our battle as Christians are fought on our knees. God is the Victory![/tweetthis]
[bctt tweet=”Our duty as Christians is to humbly, present the Love of Christ; never wavering in truth” username=”effiedarlene”]
[bctt tweet=”We must help President Trump do what God has called him to do, by praying for him” username=”effiedarlene”]
[bctt tweet=”Only God can cause our voices of unity & love to be heard over the screams of hate we face” username=”effiedarlene”]
The featured image above (minus the inscription which I added) and this picture “The Sinner’s Cry” are samples of the creative artistry of Roninron.com They are used by permission here. Please consider going to his website and reviewing his art work.
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.