This week our dear pastor had an unusual prayer for his congregation:
“I pray that God would open my eyes and your eyes to the real spiritual war that is going on:
the Howitzers and the Apatche helicopters and the tanks and all of the spiritual weaponry that Satan has encamped around us;
the way he wants to send a tank round right through your heart and kill you;
the way he goes about and lays land mines to destroy us, pits for us to fall into.”
Though I am not sure I am ready for God to fully answer this prayer, I do see the Christian love that inspired it. Just as Peter wants us not to be surprised at our own fiery trials, so too does our pastor want us to be awake to the traps of the enemy that surround us.
We see these things, we are wounded by them and by our own selves; we suffer and cry out with David, “Where is God my deliverer?”
The enemy tells us, "He is not here. Work harder, try harder, get yourself out of this mess."
Instead, we hear God’s call to look up, to cling to Him and wait for Him to rescue us.
Our God is a powerful adversary who fights for us, His children whom He keeps safe in Christ Jesus. Though we live and wait here in the lion’s den, our Father has promised not to let us see defeat.
He himself will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
Amen.
To hear Sunday's sermon, based on the Epistle:
1 Peter 4:12-19; 5:6-11
click
here
"Jesus, Lover of My Soul"
by Charles Wesley, 1707-1788
1. Jesus, Lover of my soul,
Let me to Thy bosom fly
While the nearer waters roll,
While the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Savior, hide,
Till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide.
Oh, receive my soul at last!
Notes from The Lutheran Hymnal
Hymn #345
Text: Is. 32:2
Author: Charles Wesley, 1740
Composer: Simeon B. Marsh, 1834
Tune: "Martyn"
We are born dying.
