Fight the Good Fight

Fight the Good Fight 

“Fight the LORD’s battles.” 1 Samuel 18:17 ESV 

As captain of our salvation (Hebrews 2:10), Jesus Christ—the sacred leader of God’s elect—is still doing battle on earth. He has said, “Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20 NLT). Listen to the shouts of war! Let the people of God now stand fast in their ranks, and let no one’s heart fail. It is true that at this time the battle has turned against us, and unless the Lord Jesus lifts His sword, we don’t know what will become of God’s true church. But let us be courageous, and stand as men. There was never a day when the Christian faith seemed more at risk than now—fierce efforts are being made to establish the spirit of antichrist. We long for a bold voice and a strong hand to preach and publish the old gospel for which martyrs bled and confessors died. But the Savior is, by His Spirit, still on earth—let this cheer us. He is always in the midst of the fight, and therefore the battle is not in doubt. And, as the conflict rages, what a sweet satisfaction it is to know that the Lord Jesus, in His duty as our great Intercessor, is powerfully pleading for His people! Oh, you who watch anxiously, don’t look over the battle below—there, you’ll find your fellow soldiers shrouded in smoke and be amazed at their garments marked with blood. Instead, lift your eyes up, where the Savior lives and prays—because while He intercedes, the cause of God is safe. Let us fight as if everything depends on us, but let us look up knowing that all depends on Him. Now, by the white flower of Christian purity and by the red rose of the Savior’s atonement, we charge you who love Jesus to fight valiantly in the holy war, for truth and righteousness, for the kingdom and the crown jewels of your Master. Onward, “for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15). - C.H. Spurgeon Morning and Evening 

Yesterday two men sent me messages of encouragement.  I certainly am thankful for men who pray!  Rare indeed these can be.  

One sent an excerpt from their devotional, a word from God in Philippians. 

Philippians 4:6-7

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Another spoke of being encouraged themselves in reading what God has me post each day.  Making mention of fighting the good fight.  

Having been born with an inventor's mind, curiosity in not just how things work, but how to both reproduce and improve them comes naturally to me. I ask a lot of questions and research a lot to find answers.  My hardest part is when answers elude me.  My brain multi tasks problems as well.  I may take days, months or even years to arrive at answers.  Sometimes it appears like I am distant or withdrawn in a room with people.  Mentally a whiteboard has appeared as I believe God's showing me answers to whatever had been a question. 

My Dad taught us kids while growing up on how to fight.  Not to abuse that knowledge but rather to keep it in reserve. Hopefully never needing it but having that knowledge.  There's been a few times where it's been to my advantage to have that knowledge. My Spiritual Dad also taught of fighting the good fight as well. He's still doing so decades later and can be found at www.ptnews.org. Prophecy Today Newsletter. Examining today's world in light of Scripture. 

As Kenny Rogers said in the song, "The Gambler", you need to know when to hold em an know when to fold em. Know when to walk away and know when to run. In another, "The Coward of the County", the story of a man taught of his father to avoid fighting at all costs, came to realize there going to be moments in life where fighting is not only your only option but your obligation. 

This to say that we who are in Christ must be prepared to fight the good fight. To follow Christ there is no other way.  You cannot be a pacifist in the Lords Army.  We have an enemy, bu joining the cause of Christ, who cares not if we live or die. As a Christian, though, his preference is death for us because we are no longer on his side.  

Years ago I was in with those that hoped and believed in such a strong work ethic that I didn't want anything but a full time in with one company, to retire, then go on from there.  Then God disrupted that plan. More than once now that I think about it.   I was with the company that I have since returned to after many years.  When I had left I was a beaten man.  A Supervisor was there that made it his job to break people. It was a battle that I was ill prepared to fight. The result was a breakdown. I left and in the ensuing years God took me from place to place to learn new things and to heal my broken soul.  He also taught me that it's ok that I not put in all my time in one place. I wanted to learn but not waste $75,000 on a piece of paper.  

It too was a fight at proving myself to each employer. But, as it was with Joseph, as it was with me. God caused me to exceed expectations.  Part of that passage of fighting the good fight also says to press on.

Toby Mac had a song called "Move!".  We sometimes indeed need to stand firm in the faith, but you can do that while pressing forward.  Advancing the line. 

I have been praying almost daily for the Lord to go before me in battle.  I have to, in light of my weaknesses in both the type of battle and the truth that He has intimate knowledge of the enemy that I face.  We can't fight a good fight alone.  It's just as important to focus on the words of Jesus as it is to talk to Him. 

As even good preachers of God can and should tell you, who write books themselves, don't look to them, look to the cross. Look to the Lord of Hosts. Look to our Mediator between us and God the Father. Look to the Paraclete, the One of another kind of Christ-the Holy Spirit. 

I may fight, I may not know how to fight, but in Christ the battle belongs to the Lord.   I haven't arrived, if you at all get that from this post today. I am still learning, still trying to be growing in Christ.  If it means the current disposition of life means yet another employer, so be it. My life is hidden with Christ. What can man do to me?  In spite of what Satan does, the will of God for me will not be thwarted. You can still fight the good fight while on your knees in prayer.