War with Hell - November 16, Readings: Ezekiel 38-39, Hebrews 9:1–10, Psalm 123, Proverbs 28:5–6

Links to Today's Readings

"I guess you know, this means war!" 

Bugs Bunny's famous words remind us of an important truth about the Christian life.

I am afraid that we, as American Christians, have developed a skewed idea of the nature of Christianity. We are used to living at ease, at peace, to being in comfort. We have devised a theological framework in which health, wealth, peace, ease, comfort and prosperity are the norm for those who are walking in the faith. But such is not the case very often in the word of God. Yes, God is good and he provides joy to his people. But the peace that he gives is not the absence of conflict or enemies, but the calm assurance that no matter how fierce our foes, no matter how awful the things are that come against us, God is bigger than our enemies and he will see us through.

In fact, throughout Scripture, the people of God always had enemies - powerful enemies, scary, imposing, life-threatening enemies. When they walked in obedience to God they were able to defeat those enemies - Pharaoh, the Canaanites, the Philistines, the Moabites and Midianites. When they disobeyed God, they fell under the dominion of those who came against them.

Ezekiel 38-39 describe (at least according to my end-times perspective) the greatest battle of all, the great conflict at the end of time. But without delving into the details of who God and Magog are or trying to identify all the details of the battle, this prophetic story reminds us of some very important truths.

1. There will always be enemies coming against the people of God. 

In the Garden, Adam and Eve were living in peace and minding their own business. Along came the Serpent, slithering in with his lies to derail the paradise of God. Since that initial confrontation, when our first parents chose the dark path of sin, enemies have come against us. Sometimes, they simply lied to lead us astray. Sometimes it is more blatant, as with Pharaoh or Nebuchadnezzar, who tried to destroy God's people completely. So it will be right up until the end, when the army described in Ezekiel 38 will come against the restored Israel.

The moment you trust Christ you become part of the great cosmic conflict and you can assume that until the day that you go to Jesus or he returns for us that conflict will continue. He will lie and will seek to undermine all that God is doing. We are at war and we must be prepared to live as such. Thus it always has been. Thus it always will be. Thus it is today. Count on it.

2. God fights the enemies of his people. 

That could strike fear in us, but it should not. The testimony of Scripture is clear, that God consistently and eternally fights for his people. This powerful enemy will sweep down from the north against Israel, but 39:3-6 tells us that God is still on his throne.

Then I will strike your bow from your left hand, and will make your arrows drop out of your right hand. You shall fall on the mountains of Israel, you and all your hordes and the peoples who are with you. I will give you to birds of prey of every sort and to the beasts of the field to be devoured. You shall fall in the open field, for I have spoken, declares the Lord God. I will send fire on Magog and on those who dwell securely in the coastlands, and they shall know that I am the Lord.

It is not God's people who will fall, but the enemies who come against them. Pharaoh's armies drowned in the Red Sea. The Midianites fled from 300 Israelites. Goliath fell. Elijah called down fire. God is able to defeat his enemies who come against his people, no matter how overwhelming they are. Never fear. Trust and obey.

3. God does this to display his glory.

Verse 7 goes on to explain exactly why God defeats his enemies. His purpose is twofold.

And my holy name I will make known in the midst of my people Israel, and I will not let my holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel.

He wants to make is name holy among his people and glorious among the nations. He wants his own people to know him, honor him, and remember who wonderful he really is. He is determined to use them to make his glory known among the nations, to prove that Yahweh alone is the true and living God of heaven, the one God to be feared and honored in all the world. 

This is what happened at the beginning, it will be happening at the end. And it is happening today. We are at war and our enemies are powerful. But our God is more powerful. All we need to do is trust him and walk in obedience and he will establish us, protect us and use us to declare his glory among the nations!

Father, help me to remember that I am a soldier in your army, that I am here to serve you. May I also remember that your glory is great and that the battle is yours! The victory is yours. Praise your powerful name.