Good Soldiers

2 Chronicles 36.15-21

The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place. 16 But they mocked God's messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the LORD was aroused against his people and there was no remedy. 17 He brought up against them the king of the Babylonians, who killed their young men with the sword in the sanctuary, and spared neither young man nor young woman, old man or aged. God handed all of them over to Nebuchadnezzar. 18 He carried to Babylon all the articles from the temple of God, both large and small, and the treasures of the LORD's temple and the treasures of the king and his officials. 19 They set fire to God's temple and broke down the wall of Jerusalem; they burned all the palaces and destroyed everything of value there. 20 He carried into exile to Babylon the remnant, who escaped from the sword, and they became servants to him and his sons until the kingdom of Persia came to power. 21 The land enjoyed its Sabbath rests; all the time of its desolation it rested, until the seventy years were completed in fulfillment of the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah. (The New International Version, 1984)

You are living in this day of God's great grace. Think about it. You are in a spiritual battle as these residents of Jerusalem were. God's pity was eventually replaced by His wrath. King Zedekiah and the others who failed to fight the good fight in the spiritual battle fell in a physical battle. Babylonians killed them or turned them into slaves according to the will of God. If we lose the spiritual battle-the war with Satan in the unseen realm-we will lose everything. We live in two worlds-the material world we can perceive and the spiritual world we cannot see or touch.

2 Corinthians 4.18

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (The New International Version, 1984)

Some deny the existence of the spiritual and refuse to submit to their Maker. Without faith, they will eventually lose everything they *think* they have in the material world. They will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2.5-11) but their belief will come too late to help them or their loved ones. Let us call on the lost to confess Him now before He returns and there is "no remedy" for those who have refused to hear Him.

Revelation 1.7

Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen. (The New International Version, 1984)

Let us be good soldiers:

Ephesians 6.10-18

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil_s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (The New International Version, 1984)

Let us thank God for this day of His grace!

2 Corinthians 5.1 Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling... (The New International Version, 1984)

Prayer

Dear Lord,

We become entangled so often with this world and its fleeting desires. Open our eyes and our hearts, Lord. Help us to remember that this earth will pass away, but your words will never pass away. Guide us into making the spiritual battle the most important battle we fight. Thank you and praise you for your grace that continually washes us clean when we forget and fail! In the precious name of your Son, Amen

By Brad Forgy, Used by Permission.