FACING DANGERS AND DISASTERS (PART 4 - FACING THE THREAT OF WAR)

  FACING DANGERS AND DISASTERS - FACING THE THREAT OF WAR 

"A king is not saved by a large army, nor is a warrior delivered by great strength. A horse offers false hope for victory; despite its power, it cannot save. But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those who trust in His kindness, to deliver them in death and preserve their lives in time of famine. Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our Help and our Shield. Our hearts rejoice in Him because we trust in His Holy name. O Lord, let Your kindness rest upon us, for we have placed our hope in You." Psalm 33:16-22 NCB 

WAR IS A SYMPTOM - "When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." Proverbs 16:7 

 Regarding preparation for war or any other possible disaster, the best and first line of defense is earnest, holy, Godly living, even if conducted with some level of sincere ignorance Acts 10:35. Depending on the issues the Lord may be addressing, there will always be hope, grace, and mercy at some level. But expect grief as well.

COLLISION IN THE HEAVENLIES 

  If you will notice in Joshua 5:13-15, 2 Samuel 5:24, the book of Daniel 10, and the book of Revelation 12:7-9, there is another aspect and other parties involved that we perhaps don't think of because of the less tangible and observable aspects: the spiritual forces of the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Darkness (Satan's kingdom). These are in conflict in the world until Jesus returns. The activities of man will invite the wonders of God or the activities of the satanic forces in our world.  The wars among men are not necessarily a 'Good Guy versus a Bad Guy' issue, and by the way, most people on each side typically feel they are the 'Good Guy'. There are people from either Kingdom on both sides, depending on the reason for their involvement. If you can believe it, David's army even had a few sons of Belial (wicked/worthless men) who followed him (1 Samuel 30:22), even though David's cause was righteous. Nonetheless, there is a spiritual war going on alongside the natural conflicts, and few can escape its effects. We, by our choices and actions, make a difference either way, and thus carry some weight of the responsibility. As followers of Jesus, we need to be aware of the values and the spiritual condition of our country and pray earnestly for it and the people. Always remember, there is always a harvest. For both individuals and a nation, there is a reaping of what we sow.  We need to watch how our society or country regards the teachings of the Bible and the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. That will give you a good indication of where your country is heading and what may be coming down the road, what influences are incubating behind the values of your society, and consequently influencing your leadership. Again, our greatest efforts for hope are prayer, the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and holy living. We "overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21). 

THE OPEN DOOR

   OUR FAILURE TO GODLINESS AND FAITHFULNESS MAKES US VULNERABLE as individuals and as a nation. Let's look at the examples of WORLD WARS 1 and 2 for a more present-day analysis. (This analysis is only my own very limited observation and is by no means comprehensive.)                     Apparently, World War 1 outwardly began from more of an upper-crust political entanglement (the spiritual war behind it was as in 2 Samuel 24:1 & 1 Chronicles 21, though far more complicated than this on the human level). As we look at this, we can see the powers of darkness were able to gain a solid foothold in the affairs of men, as indicated by the characters of some of the leaders that rose to power in World War II. Jesus said, "You shall know them by their fruits." Matthew 7:16. Although in this verse, Jesus was warning of false prophets, the principle is valid in other aspects of life. ("For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12 ).                                                              Europe was/is primarily a so-called Christian continent. Many Christians were on all sides. Some chose sides; some were forced into it, but everyone paid. Something more than politics was festering and had been festering in the countries, perhaps for centuries, and the devil was conniving through it all (which is why we should be so careful about who and what we listen to and follow). The Biblical influence, though strong, was not prevailing in enough people's thinking on these issues to prevent what they would produce. Certain predominant ideological and social values were malignant. Although not everyone agreed with them, enough did. And that enabled them to gain dominant influence, especially under the smokescreens of doubt, offense, injustice, confusion, and pride. The first is a common plague worldwide: class distinction, putting one class or group of people over another, and/or vilifying a people, leading to injustice and oppression. The French Revolution was a reaction to this mentality and behavior, but it never fully went away. This thinking helped birth the most extreme form of class distinction through the fallout of World War 1 - Nazism. Its influence was spreading beyond the borders of Europe. The extreme opposite, under the guise of defiance to social and political injustice, was Communism. Both had appealing ideals to those who were desperate for justice and some kind of help. When incubated under ideal conditions, these concepts burst forth. That happened to Russia near the end of World War 1 where its people were fed up with the oppressive injustice of its government, which opened the door for a different type of dictatorship. Then the people of Germany after World War 1 were humiliated and severely oppressed by the Treaty of Versailles. Another thought that gained huge influence in the world at the time was the THEORY of Evolution. Through it, two assumptions were fortified and deeply impacted the thinking,  values, and direction of certain sectors of society: an assumed proof for the atheistic worldview, which claims that we do not need to obey, fear, or believe in God, and the consequent ungodly conclusion that human life is therefore not sacred. Both the Nazis and the Communists embraced these concepts and implemented them to justify their methods of control and dominance. I want to point out here that not everyone in either of these countries was in agreement with these values. There was just enough for the leadership to manipulate the situations needed to gain full control. (Dear friends, I have no intention of turning this into a political statement by singling out any people, implying that any of us are better). The same struggle is going on today, but with different faces, and most are choosing sides without considering who and what is actually behind the policies. Outside the Gospel and love of the Lord Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Bible, we are all susceptible to the devil's deceptions.                                                                                                     In World War 2, spiritual warfare and natural warfare collided and took most everyone with it, with massive devastating effects (this is not even mentioning the Asian Theatre). Now the wars did not break out on these premises, but they gave the Satanic forces the foothold they needed to incite war and destruction for dominance. "The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy." John 10:10. Considering the prevailing influences today, where are we heading again, and what can we do to try to avoid disaster, or are we too late?   

THE WHOLE POINT OF THIS PARTICULAR EXERCISE IS TO POINT OUT HOW TOLERANCE TO WHAT WE MIGHT CONSIDER A MINOR COMPROMISE TO GODLINESS CAN TURN INTO A DEADLY AND RUTHLESS MONSTER. SOCIAL INJUSTICE WAS THE LEVER AND ATHEISM REMOVED THE RESTRAINT. (It is understood that any religion outside the Love of Christ can be just as evil.) 

  As for personal protection from danger in such a situation, we have the conditions and promises of Psalm 91, and we must find our place in Christ and the will of God. The rest is up to Him. Furthermore, if we are only concerned about personal protection, we are missing the point of the Love of Christ and Calvary. We are to love our neighbour as ourselves and our enemies. We have already made our peace with God, and they need Him too.                                                                                                                             Next, I want to stress that we are not to be partakers with anything or anyone that opposes the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Bible and its teachings and commandments, or makes light of the fear and Holiness of God!!! "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." Ephesians 5:11. If we partake in or agree with anything that involves idolatry, the taking of innocent life such as abortions and euthanasia, whatever the Bible calls sexual immorality, or witchcraft (including drugs), we are giving the Devil an open door into our lives and our society, which will eventually end in judgment and the wrath of God in some form. That is the trick that Balaam used against the Children of Israel. Instead, pray for your country and leaders, walk in humility and faith, and commit the keeping of your soul into the merciful hands of your Loving Heavenly Father.                          

 WHAT IF YOU FIND YOURSELF ALREADY TRAPPED IN AN OCCUPIED STATE?                                                                                                                                       Make the Lord your Refuge and Hiding Place (Psalm 32:7, 91), hope in His mercy, and continue to do what is right. This is the same for natural disasters. This next example we cannot take as a promise to all, depending on the variables the Lord has in mind for each person, but look what the Lord promised to Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian during the Babylonian invasion (which was God's judgment on Judah and Jerusalem): "Go speak to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, 'Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring My words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished in that day before you. But I will deliver you in that day, says the Lord: and you shall not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid. For I will surely deliver you, and you shall not fall by the sword, but your life shall be for a prey/booty to you, because you have put your trust in Me, says the Lord.'" Jeremiah 39:16-18.                           Please understand. We cannot take a verse from the Bible given specifically to someone else, apply it to ourselves, and assume that is what the Lord will do for us. Only what He has spoken to us specifically or to everyone generally can we hold on to as a personal promise; however, you will notice that there was an attitude that pleased the Lord, which earned Ebed-Melech that special grace, "because you have put your trust in Me, says the Lord." That is something He should find in all of us and the way we should be living all our lives. Expect to see the miracles and the merciful close calls. I am sure most of you already have.

THOSE CALLED TO ARMS AND DANGER

  If we are called to fight in the war, whether you are drafted or a volunteer, you want to be sure you are in the Lord. Remember, "...for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." Matthew 26:52. Right away, Christian or non-Christian, you are a candidate subject to harm and/or death. But is there a hope and shelter in Christ? Always! Ask King David, a warrior. "I will love You, O Lord, my Strength. The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress, and my Deliverer, My God, my Strength, in whom I will trust; my Buckler, and the Horn of my salvation, and my High Tower. I will call upon the Lord, Who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from my enemies." Psalm 18:1-3      As a soldier, police officer, or rescue personnel, you will have to put your life on the line. Trust the Lord, do your duty, be ready for anything, ask for help, and leave the results with Him. 

NEXT - FINAL NOTES