As believers, Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit within, is our promised strength through all times. We are called to be soldiers. We are promised trials of many kinds, and promised strength for it all. We are promised that the outcome of every trial, though our faith tested by fire, will result in praise, honor and glory to Jesus Christ our Lord.
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.”
1 Peter 1:6-9
We are promised eternal reward. Heaven, Jesus, saints, glory – forever.
As the Lord brought to my remembrance a song from my youth the other day, I thought about the perfect and quite surreal relationship we have with God. Children AND Soldiers to the King Most High.
As we are called to fight the good fight and finish the race. As we are called as soldiers to endure hardship, and live to please our commanding officer. As we are promised trials, hardships, opposition. As we endure sufferings, as we sacrifice, die to our flesh, and live for Christ, because of His love, and all for love. A soldier experiences wounds, weariness, fatigue, exhaustion, pain of all kinds from the inside out. Let us not forget, also, Christian Soldiers have the VICTORY!
We are called by Jesus, to “come” again and again, “come”.
We have come to Jesus in our need for Salvation. He alone saves. And He invites us to come, follow “Me” all the days of our lives.
We come to Jesus in our weary, burdened state, again and again and He gives rest. As we submit to Him, and rest in Him, we are taught by Him. Taught…by…Him. This is so crucial to the battle.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
We are soldiers. We are children of God. He gives strength, He gives rest. It is in rest, we receive His strength, to continue in our faith.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” Heb. 11:6
The words of this song the other day, prompted me to write. My heart was stirred with the amazing thoughts of being a Child of God, AND an equipped Soldier for Christ. Our flesh becomes weary in the battles we fight so hard for – for the own sanctifying work of our souls, as well as the immense love we have for others, and the opposition of the enemy and the world that wants to take us down. However, none can take us down, we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus our Lord.
What a wonder of wonders! Almost too surreal to even describe, majesty, God, Savior.
We are equipped as soldiers, and we are comforted by the loving, tender, mercy of the everlasting strong arms of our Father God.
We are winning battles through steadfast faith, because and only because of the Steadfast love of our Father in Heaven! Because of the battle the Lord Jesus Christ overcame on the cross, conquering sin and death, and offering life, to all who will humbly come and receive. He is our Warrior, Who fights for us. Who fought for our Salvation, and is faithful to complete His work. He is the Savior calling more to come, follow Him. Fight this good fight of faith, and receive the prize, the Kingdom that awaits.
I imagine a position of a broken down, beaten, bloodied, pain stricken soldier of battle. Dirty, tattered, collapsed and unable to stand, who seemingly cannot go any further. This soldier, picked up in the strong arms of another, carried to shelter, to rest, wounds bound, provision of needs, food. This soldier, strengthened, revived, equipped to engage in the battle.
As we come to Jesus, and learn from Him, by knowing His Word and believing in Him, we may rest. A trust that is able to let go, and receive the everlasting arms under us, to carry us, and give us all we need to continue to engage in the battle.
“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies before you..”
Deut. 33:27
What an intense comfort to a soldier, to know we have a dwelling to run to, as the Lord’s child.
No one else will ever know the battles we face like the Lord Jesus. I testify to the weary worn, battles of my life, where I laid myself before God a million times a day, tattered, broken, and pleading for strength. His Word, by the Holy Spirit would bring to me over and over. One, special one that enabled me to know that no matter how trampled I felt, when I am weak, Christ’s power literally rests on me!! Every time I have felt so broken down, remembering this truth, kept me going. It wasn’t a feeling, it didn’t even make sense, but in faith, I knew, it was – it IS TRUE! I see battles being won everyday. I testify to the battles He is overcoming in my own heart! And even, then, FAR above and beyond, and then further, I am sure ABOVE AND BEYOND what I see, to His praise and glory!!
As we obediently live out our faith in Jesus, we are winning battles. It may be long. It may seem unrelenting, it may be so intense, and the enemy will want us to believe nothing good is coming, and that we are losing. We stand firm, we press on, and we run and fall on our knees a thousand times a day, with tears we share with our Father in heaven, and He picks us up, and carries us on. Trust in the Lord, believe “do not grow weary in doing good, you will reap a harvest if you do not lose heart” Gal. 6:9
Seek God for what His good is! Seek Him with all your heart!
Lately I’ve been winning battles left and right
But even winners can get wounded in the fight
People say that I’m amazing
I’m strong beyond my years
But they don’t see inside of me
I’m hiding all the tears
Unafraid because His armor is the best
But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest
People say that I’m amazing
I never face retreat, oh no
But they don’t see the enemies
That lay me at His feet
They don’t know that I come running home when I fall down
They don’t know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and cry for just a while
‘Coz deep inside this armor
The warrior is a child
Is God calling you to come? Come to Jesus! You will find rest for your souls. Today, tomorrow, and for all eternity!
“You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”
2 Timothy 2:3-4
“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”
Eph 6:13
“when I am weak, Christ’s power rests on me” 2 Cor. 12:9
“But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior…”
Jer. 20:11
“Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.”
Ps. 90:1
