Picture an army training for war. Suppose each soldier had access to many

weapons, with handbooks describing their use. Amassing weapons and knowledge,

the soldiers then went to war, but lacked the greatest need of all for

successful warfare - a commander! They had become armed and dangerous not to

the enemy, but to themselves! Sound ridiculous? I believe it is a reality

happening right now in the spiritual realm. Panic has caused many of God's

people to turn to knowledge and methods, to men's experiences and even Biblical

truths but often apart from the Commander's voice. More books on spiritual

warfare have been written in this last decade than in all the previous years of

the church combined. It is a "hot" topic. The need is there - but what are we

doing with it?

There are two extremes. Because the battle is the Lord's, some think they are

to do nothing. But God always involves His people in the battle. In Hezekiah's

battle against Sennacherib God told them not to be afraid and to be silent while

the enemy taunted them (2 Kings 18:36). As they continued to seek God, He

finally slew the Assyrians by His own Hand while Israel's army slept! (2 Kings

19:35) Jehoshaphat's army was also told they would not need to fight (2 Ch

20:17) but, unlike Hezekiah's, they still had to go out against the enemy while

the Lord fought the battle. Disobedience in either case would have ended in

defeat. For Joshua, (Joshua 6) the walls of Jericho came down at precisely the

right moment as the army followed God's detailed plan that seemed like

foolishness. Yes, God definitely involves His people in the battle. The

methods are different but the way is the same - trust and obey.

On the other side of those who do nothing are those who try to use God's weapons

apart from His command. Perhaps God gave them victory in the past or they saw

someone else win a battle a certain way. They look to a method instead of to

God. What if after Jericho, Israel read Joshua's battle plan and tried to do

the same thing to every walled city? And look what happened to the sons of

Sceva in Acts 9:13-16 who tried to fight demons after they saw Paul do it. They

almost lost their lives because the Lord was not with them. The weapons of our

warfare are only powerful when used at His command. Jude 9 reminds us that even

Michael, one of the mightiest angels did not dare accuse Satan or jeer at him

but simply said "the Lord rebuke you." How careful and prayerful then must we

be!

During a recent prolonged attack, we had all kinds of advice - all Biblically

backed. "Curse the root of the trouble," "rebuke the Devil," "take the Kingdom

promises by force." We tried everything until exhausted and beaten we waited on

the Lord and asked Him what to do. He answered with a parable. In my mind I

saw a ship called "Salvation and Praise." The Lord was the Captain. It was

beginning a journey into the promises through very heavy storms. Some turned

back right away. For those who remained it soon became too late to turn back.

As the tempest roared, a few boldly rebuked the storm. They were swept

overboard. Others took lifeboats to make their own way and perished. But a

remnant stayed down in the hold of the ship. They could not see or hear the

Captain. They could feel every threatening wave and hear the vessel groan under

the strain. But trusting in the Captain they simply sat in the dark and sang

His praises. And so I discovered what God's battle plan is for me. It didn't

seem like much of a weapon and I found it hard to cease from frantic activity.

But I realized God's weapons are usually surprising and are powerful only

because He is in them.

Brethren, are you surrounded by many foes and looking for a way to victory?

Don't sit back (unless He tells you to) and don't try to follow someone else's

battle plan. Ask the Captain of your Salvation to lead you by His Hand and in

Him you will conquer. He will give you all you need. For "it is not by might,

not by power but by My Spirit says the Lord of Hosts." (Zech. 4:6) We love

you and pray for you and appreciate your prayers. Please bear with me when I am

unable to personally write. Just remember we are one in spirit. God bless you.