A WAR STORY

***Happy Fourth of July!***

In honor of Independence Day, I'm going to share a little story with a *military* theme.

My dad, born in 1930, was a little too young to have fought in World War II. But by the time the Korean War broke out, he was just the right age. Having joined the Naval Reserves when he was in college, he now found himself, in 1953, eligible for the draft.

Now at this time, it just so happened that my mom had a suspicion that she was pregnant.

My grandmother, Dad's mom, and my mother (who was a very sweet, young girl of 20 at the time) made an appointment to meet with the local board of Selective Services. They planned to use the pregnancy as a possible reason to change my dad's draft status.

The board asked for proof of the pregnancy.

Well, my grandmother and mother wasted NO time in getting an appointment with my grandmother's doctor. They anxiously waited for the results of the "rabbit test" – (poor, poor bunnies! Isn't it so much better that all we have to do now is sacrifice a little blood or…ahem…other bodily fluid to find out if we're pregnant?!)

They waited and prayed…prayed and waited.

And finally, the results came – yes, my mom was pregnant.

Evidently, the Lord did not want my dad to go to war – for the chairman of the local board, who knew my dad from the reserves, agreed that he should be granted a deferment because my mom was pregnant.

Oh, one last little detail to this story…

I was that cute little draft deferment!

The history of America is peppered with stories of war. And though war often brings moments of glory and honor, at its core, war is really a reflection of the evil that lives in the human heart. It reflects the unending urge for power, and the inner drive to rule.

And war is a symbol of the other battle – the epic battle between good and evil.

Once, a long time ago, an angel with evil in his heart also desired power, and wanted to rule everything – he wanted to be like God.

It didn't quite work out – he was cast out from Heaven for his rebellion – and he became Satan, the Adversary, the Accuser.

And since that time, Satan has used every available strategy to continue waging war against God. He even used humanity to injure the very heart of God. And we were complicit in the injury.

That epic battle is still being fought – every day. And though ultimate victory for God and His children is assured, the battle still rages on. We are an integral part of that battle, we are soldiers in the war.

How to be effective warriors for God?

Well, I don't know about you, but I'm wearing armor!

"Therefore put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground…" (Ephesians 6:13-14)

Here's what we’ve got:

The Belt of Truth – the only way to defeat the enemy's lies

The Breastplate, the Body Armor, of Righteousness – God's righteousness is the only thing that protects our hearts and ensures His approval through Christ

The Footgear, the Shoes, of the Peace that comes from the Good News – the motivation to proclaim the true peace that is available in God

The Shield of Faith – protection against the fiery arrows of the devil

The Helmet of Salvation – protecting our minds from doubting God's saving work done for us by Jesus, and the assurance that ultimate victory is ours

The Sword – the Word of God, the Bible, our Scriptures – the only weapon of offense in this list – we must use the Word of God as a weapon against lies, and deceptions, and temptations

Happy Fourth of July – and I hope you have a great celebration. But let's also take today and remember this other war – the one that Satan brought, the one that we are engaged in.

Let's keep up the good fight, and stand against our enemy with the Holy Spirit's power. We are enlisted soldiers in God's army, and we have joined the forces of the Lord's Kingdom.

OK, who's suiting up with me?!

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God"

BIBLE PICK 'EMS - Let Freedom Ring!

Defeated.

Captive.

Exiled.

This was the painful state of affairs for the Israelites. Overcome by the Babylonians, they had been led away from their precious land, and into virtual slavery under a foreign and oppressive ruler, Nebuchadnezzar (the Biblical account can be found in 2 Kings 24:8-25:30).

Their story isn't one of conquering freedom, or resounding independence.

It's just the opposite.

And yet, into this despairing and seemingly hopeless situation, God raised up a messenger – his chosen prophet, Ezekiel.

Ezekiel gave God's message of judgment on Israel and other nations to the captives in Babylon. And yet, he also brought God's message of hope, salvation, and future restoration. Ezekiel painted a vivid picture of the unchangeable holiness of God.

Today's "Bible Pick 'Ems" is an excerpt of that uplifting message:

"This is what the Sovereign LORD says: 'The people of Israel will again live in their own land, the land I gave my servant Jacob. For I will gather them from the distant lands where I have scattered them. I will reveal to the nations of the world my holiness among my people. They will live safely…they will know that I am the LORD their God.'" (Ezekiel 28:25-26)

There was partial fulfillment of this promise when many Israelites were allowed to return from exile under the leadership of Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah. And then, in 1948, the political nation of Israel was re-established as they gained their independence.

However, this promise will have its ultimate fulfillment when Jesus Christ returns to set up His eternal Kingdom. Then, all people who have been faithful to God will dwell together in harmony and complete safety.

These passages brought many thoughts to ponder on the eve of America's Independence Day.

What is the state of our nation?

Are we individually, and as a country, being faithful to God? Are we trusting Him to lead us, to be our moral and spiritual compass?

Are we truly a people, a nation UNDER GOD?

Sometimes we take our freedom for granted. We forget that it was purchased at a great price. Many people have sacrificed their very lives for the privilege of living in a country that declares itself the "land of the free and the home of the brave."

Are we in danger of being blind like the Israelites?

I asked before – what is the state of our nation? But, the more important question is this –

What is the state of our hearts?

Our personal, spiritual, soul salvation was purchased at a great price. There is One who sacrificed His very life for us – to give us the privilege of living in a state of freedom from the slavery to sin.

Are we excusing ourselves from our responsibilities before God? Are we being accountable to God for our choices?

Are we being faithful to the Faithful One?

All of God's promises will be ultimately fulfilled under the rule of the Messiah. He will reveal Himself to the nations of the world. He will gather His faithful ones, the ones He has redeemed, from distant lands. And we will live safely in His glorious presence forever – restored to perfect fellowship with Him.

And every knee shall bow, every tongue confess – He is the LORD, the Almighty God.

Let us never take our freedom for granted – and may we take the occasion of Independence Day to once again focus on the values that make America a country that honors "liberty and justice for all."

But let's also examine our hearts – and single-mindedly pursue the One who possesses unchangeable holiness.

Let us re-gain a vision of His glory, a fresh sense of His greatness, and a renewed spirit of devotion and love for Him.

"For I will gather you up from all the nations and bring you home again…Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away…And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart, and give you a tender, responsive heart." (Ezekiel 36:24-26)

(You might also enjoy last year's post - Independence Day!)

"When in doubt, search God out!"

QUAINT WORDS

Welcome to "Quaint Words!”

These posts will contain thoughts, poems, and prayers from old books that I have found at antique stores, flea markets, and garage sales (with an occasional treasure from a bookstore).

I love the rhythm and sound of the older English language, and am blessed by other believers who have gone before me!

"We need to pray much for our country. Perhaps we err in making our prayers ordinarily only for ourselves and for our own little world. Certainly our country ought to have a place in the daily supplications of every Christian.

Those who rule over us ought to be continually remembered. They are men, and need divine wisdom and guidance. They are men under the sway of partisan influence, and we need to pray that they be kept free from any domination which would lead them to forget God.

We need to pray for our institutions...we need to pray for all our people...that uprightness and integrity may characterize them.

'Happy is that people whose God is the Lord.'"

(From "In Green Pastures" by J. R. Miller, c. 1840-1912)

(A listing of books and authors, and also dates of individual postings from those books, will be found on my "QUAINT WORDS" page)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Comfort

Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!

Today's word: comfort

What does the word comfort mean to you?

What in your life brings you the most comfort?

Which verse in the Bible is your favorite word of comfort?

Let me know what you think!!

"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"