7 minute read
Hostile Territory
from July 2021
Gò0dNews for Everyone
Hostile Territory
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by Eddie Turner
We live in a world of continually increasing darkness. With the details of this darkness broadcasted on our TVs and on our phones within our homes, it is only fitting that we carry a sense of fear as we venture out each day. We watch as our fellow citizens mimic the Pharisees’ shouts for Jesus to be crucified when they read a tweet by a public figure whose words are stripped from their context. It is as if our culture has produced a breed of individuals who are lurking in the darkness just waiting for an opportunity to pounce on one another. If you are wondering whose behavior this resembles, I’ll give you a hint. It is not Jesus. 1 Peter 5:8
Unfortunately, the evil in our world is here to stay despite the many attempts to micromanage it from existence. As much as we try to separate ourselves from this evil, many who call themselves Christian are only stirring the pot and causing the world to see followers of Christ as part of the problem. Needless to say, the burden associated with Jesus’ instruction for us to endure this life is only getting heavier. How much more are we expected to take on?
If you have ever been told to read between the lines, there was likely something your attention was called to that you did not see right away. Only after taking a second look or applying additional focus, were you able to grasp the bigger picture. In the book of 2 Kings, we read about the prophet Elisha and his servant who are being pursued by their enemies. As they became surrounded, the servant began to fear for his life. “What shall we do?” he called to Elisha, who prayed for his servant in response. 2 Kings 6:16-17
When my children were little, I often reminded them of the presence of angels nearby whenever they could not sleep. While we could not actually see these angels, this story of Elisha and his servant assures us that they are indeed present and in great numbers—all the time. This is our reality; a reality that requires our reading between the lines to see. Instead of being blinded by the light, however, we often become blinded by the ] darkness and allow fear to mask our awareness that we are lights of this world—moving about amidst armies of angels who radiate God’s glory and who intercede on our behalf. God Himself is also present within us as we approach life’s valleys that appear shrouded by the shadow of death. It is when we fail to recognize what is going on behind the scenes that we allow ourselves to become rattled.
In the Bible, Jesus tells us not to live in fear more times than I can count. This is extremely important for us because he knew what was coming. He knew we would question our ability to
endure if we allowed ourselves to be consumed by the anxieties of life. In this verse from Matthew, Jesus warns how a world like ours today can have a tremendous impact on our hearts.
Matthew 24:12-13
As the culture around us increasingly reflects the lawlessness Jesus spoke of, we must know that our survival is dependent upon the condition of our hearts. There is no questioning whether we can live through this. We most certainly can. But can we love through this? This is the struggle Jesus was talking about. Can we love one another in a world that ignites hatred in our hearts? Can we remain fixated on God amidst the chaos?
As followers of Christ who are indwelled by the strength of the one true God, we must take every measure to protect our hearts from growing cold and allow the love He placed within us to pour forth and light our paths through hostile territory. As you go along, know that angels will be close by. God, however, will be much closer.
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