When we see the enemy’s handiwork all around us, it is easy to become discouraged. That’s when we need to focus on God’s power over him. The full extent of God’s power is incomprehensible, but as we begin to understand His power within us (Romans 8:11) and within His church (Matthew 16:18) there is no reason to worry about the enemy. We need to stop complaining to God about our attackers and start telling them whom it is we serve. Mountains that seem to stand in our way will become bumps in the road when we call on God’s mighty power to direct our steps.
When I focus on God’s power the words of a song come to my mind.
“I’m going to tell the storm that my God is in control.
He’s more mighty than its billows, stronger than the winds that blow.
There’s no power in the storm for all power is His,
I’m going to tell the storm how big my God is.”
I read a book recently written by Mark Batterson simply titled “if”. It is a great book that I would recommend to any believer. In it he shows us how to replace our “if only” regrets with “what if” possibilities and it takes us right to the foot of the cross. One line really jumped off the page at me. “We are called to advance the Kingdom, not to hold the fort.”
Jesus said, “And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it.” (Matthew 11:12) Those words are just as relevant to us today as they were then, but we tend to concentrate on fending off the attackers instead of forcefully advancing the Kingdom of Heaven. In sports terms, as members of His church, God has clearly placed the ball in our court. What will we do with it? Will we cover up and concentrate on defending our faith from attack or will we go on the offensive and forcefully advance the Kingdom of Heaven in Jesus’ name?
Please don’t misunderstand. Forcefully advancing the Kingdom of Heaven does not involve going on a counter attack against a non-believing world. On the contrary, the Kingdom of Heaven is advanced by demonstrating God’s love and grace to a lost world. Under the direction of the Holy Spirit our acts of love and kindness and our personal testimony will draw lost souls to God’s grace and forgiveness through the blood shed by Jesus on the cross. Heaven will rejoice for every lost soul that is added to the Kingdom. (Luke 15:7) That is the way to advance the Kingdom of Heaven and keep pressure on the enemy.
I am well aware that the Kingdom of Heaven will advance with or without me, but I praise God that He has given me the privilege to contribute my meager efforts to His cause. It is truly a labor of love because no matter how hard we labor in His field, we can never put God in our debt. My service is simply my humble duty as a child of God. After all, I have received eternal life through His grace so it is I who am forever in His debt. All I seek now is to hear the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant,” as I reach the end of my tour of duty.