WE ARE LIVING IN A WAR ZONE

Devotional for January 28, 2018 based upon Mark 1: 21-28

A question I have been asked several times is, Why is there so much demonization in the New Testament, especially in the Gospels, when we do not hear much about it in the Old Testament, in Church history, and in the world today?  I respond by saying two things.  First, there are many accounts of demonization and spiritual deliverance in Church history and in the Church today.  For example, the Lutheran church in Madagascar even has a recognized office of exorcist.  And I remember talking with a former missionary, who later was on national ELCA church staff, who said, “Nothing in my seminary training prepared me for the spiritual reality that I ran into once I arrived on the mission field.”

Second, to me it only makes sense that Calvary – and the ministry of Jesus leading up to Calvary – would be the most demonized place and time in all of human history.  For Satan knew that this was going to be the great do or die battle.  If I lose here, I lose everywhere.  I make it here, or I will not make it anywhere.  The eternal destiny of millions hangs in the balance.  Satan has one chance to prevent his own destruction.  So he gathers and uses all the forces he can muster to try and stop Jesus here.  Because he knows that if he cannot stop Jesus here, he will not be able to stop Jesus anywhere.

I think of the opening to the movie, “Saving Private Ryan.”  The depiction of D-Day near the beginning is one of the most powerful portrayals of war that I have ever seen.  For a full twenty-four minutes the film graphically portrays thousands of soldiers storming Normandy Beach.  This was the great do or die battle, upon which hung the future of Europe if not the whole world.  If the Allies are not able to stop the Nazis here, they might not be able to stop the Nazis anywhere.

On D-Day – June 6, 1944 – the Allied powers risk it all, not knowing whether they would win.  Today we know the Allies won.  And today we also know that Jesus won.  Through His death and resurrection Jesus has already won the victory over sin, death, and the power of the devil.

But, in the meantime, we are living in a war zone.  We have an enemy whose henchman said to Jesus, in our Gospel lesson for January 28, “What have You to do with us?  Have You come to destroy us?  I know who You are, the Holy One of God.” (Mark 1: 24)  We have an enemy who hates us.  Who knows he has nothing more to lose because he has already lost it all.  Who would like nothing better than to get back at God by getting at us.  Who knows he is going down and who would like to take as many of us with him as he can as he is going down.

But we should not be so focused on Satan and what he can do to us that we allow ourselves to become intimidated.  Instead, we need to focus on the victory of Jesus and on the spiritual resources we have in Jesus so that we can meet the attacks of the enemy.

The great spiritual D-Day landing has already occurred.  The powers of God have already obtained a foothold on the beaches of the enemy.  The great turning point spiritual battle has already been fought and won by Jesus through the cross and empty tomb.  So the apostle Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, portrays Jesus as like a returning, conquering Roman general.  “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, having triumphed over them by the cross.” (Colossians 2: 15)  Victory comes through Jesus and relationship with Jesus.

The Gospel writer Luke gives us a very interesting glimpse into the process that many go through as they learn about their spiritual authority over Satan.  In Luke 10 Jesus sends out seventy-two disciples to practice what they had been learning.  When they return, they express their great amazement. “Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your Name!” (verse 17)  “Jesus, we never expected that what You said would happen would actually happen!”  Jesus replies, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning.” (verse 18)  “Your ministry has behind it all the authority of the Kingdom of God.”  And then, to make it even more explicit, He said to them – and He says to us – “See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will hurt you.  Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (verses 19-20)  What you have experienced has not made you into some sort of special group of super-privileged, super-gifted disciples.  Rather it is your being a child of God – and it is only your being a child of God – that gives you this spiritual authority.

It is not our giftedness, holiness, amount of training, or level of understanding, but being a child of God that gives us spiritual authority.

Whether we like it or not, we are living in a war zone between D-Day, the decisive turning point battle, and the end of the war.  We are living in territory still occupied by the enemy, who knows that he has been defeated and who hates the one who defeated him.

Whether we like it or not, we are at war.  The question is whether at the end of our lives we will be able to say with the apostle Paul, “I have fought the good fight.” (2 Timothy 4: 7)  I have been strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  I put on the whole armor of God.  I took my stand against the schemes of the devil.

Dennis D. Nelson

President of the Board and Director of Lutheran CORE

“A mountain of God is the mountain of Bashan; a mountain of many peaks is the mountain of Bashan.  Why do you look with envy, O mountains with many peaks, at the mountain which God has desired for His abode?  Surely the Lord will dwell there forever.”  (Psalm 68:15-16)

Did you catch this?  Every mountain is the Lord’s.  Why do you worry about special places, they all belong to the Lord.  Why do you worry about special times, all time belongs to the Lord.  The Lord has come into our midst and calls us to abide with Him.  When He lifts us up to abide with Him, we are the mountain of Bashan, for the word means to be fruitful and those who are in the Lord are fruitful.

Lord, You have spoken time and again about growing in truth and about bearing fruit.  You have mentioned the goodness of Your law and having it grow in us.  Lead me to see the good things You are growing in me that I would become one of Your mountains where You dwell.  Guide me in Your ways, O Lord, and I will walk in them.  Open my heart to truth that I would hold fast to it.

Lord Jesus, You are the One who will lead me up every mountainside and along every stream.  Guide me according to Your purposes to see in You the hope of glory and the goodness You have given by Your grace.  Help me now and always to be guided by Your will and way that I may be a high dwelling place now and always.  Thank You, Jesus, for giving grace.  Amen.

“When you lie down among the sheepfolds, You are like the wings of a dove covered with silver, and its pinions with glistening gold.  When the Almighty scattered the kings there, it was snowing in Zalmon.”  (Psalm 68:13-14)

Events in history remind us of the mighty fall.  We are like sheep and lie down in a particular fold and regardless of where we are, we are under the eye of the King of all kings.  The Almighty does scatter the proud and boastful.  He humbles those who ravage His sheep.  The Lord knows the coming and going of all and it is in His hands.  Come then into the presence of the King.

Lord, I see it in history when the mighty tyrants seem to have everything under their dominion but they come to naught.  Guide me to always keep the perspective of truth where I see how these mad things spoken and done in the moment amount to nothing.  Keep me from being caught up in the ongoing insanity of this world knowing that all things are in Your hands, O Lord.

Lord Jesus, how sad it must have been for You to have looked at the proud and arrogant as they threatened You.  You through whom all things have their being looked into the eyes of those who hated You and threatened You and You met them with love.  Guide me in Your ways, O Lord, that I would walk in the love You teach me, knowing that all things always have been in Your hands.  Amen.

“The Lord gives the command; the women who proclaim the good tidings are a great host: “Kings of armies flee, they flee, and she who remains at home will divide the spoil!”  (Psalm 68:11-12)

The Lord is in control.  The Lord will not be thwarted.  For a time, the enemies of the Lord may seem to prevail, but their days are numbered.  The Lord creates all days, they are His and He will bless whom He will bless.  The one who remains in the House of the Lord will be forever blessed.  Come then into the Lord’s protection and rest in the One who is Lord and King.

Lord, this world is in constant turmoil.  I see so many things and hear so many more about this and that.  The world tries to convince me that You have no power.  For a time they seem to prevail, but I know their day is coming with wailing and gnashing of teeth.  Help me, O Lord, to remain in Your house and hold true to what You have taught me.  Guide me, Lord, in the way I should go today and every day.

Lord Jesus, you are the King who has come and conquered death.  I am the woman who divides the spoil.  Your enemies flee before You.  In this world I do not see this as Your enemies rail all around.  Bring my eyes to see and my ears to hear the simple truth that You are King of kings and that all things are in Your hands, including me.  Lead me today, O Lord, to follow where You lead.  Amen.

“You shed abroad a plentiful rain, O God; You confirmed Your inheritance when it was parched.  Your creatures settled in it; You provided in Your goodness for the poor, O God.”  (Psalm 68:9-10)

Think for a moment on the reality of this world.  In spite of all that man does to man, humanity has been fed, blessed and cared for.  Throughout history all that is needed has been provided.  The widow and the orphan are provided for.  The hungry are fed.  The Lord provides, but we must work by the sweat of our brow.  He brings the rain in due season and the fields are refreshed.

I listen to those who say otherwise, and I believe their report.  Lead me back to the simple truth that You provide what is needed in due season.  I have little to complain about Lord, for You provide for all of those in need.  Guide me into a frame of mind that simply sees the goodness You have provided for all with the seasons unfolding as You have planned that we may praise You.

Lord Jesus, teach me to praise You in season and out of season.  Guide me in the way I should go and empower my feet to walk in that way.  Lead me by the example You have given to walk as You walked and to live as You would have me live.  In all things, help me to be thankful and know that in You alone is the hope of all people, for You alone modeled the way we need to go.  Amen.

“O God, when You went forth before Your people, when You marched through the wilderness.  The earth quaked; the heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God; Sinai itself quaked at the presence of God, the God of Israel.”  (Psalm 68:7-8)

As it was then it still is now.  The Lord goes before His people.  The Lord provides what is needed.  As it was then it is still now.  There are times of adversity and times when things are not going as we would like.  The Lord still goes before us, for all that is needed is provided.  Walk then in the way of the Lord and be content, for the Lord your God goes before you.

Lord, I have bought into the soft soap about things going well if You love me.  Lead me to the place where I know, at all times and in all places, You are there with me, in front of me and preparing the way before me.  Guide me in the way of goodness that I would now and always abide in the way You have set before me knowing that all You do ends to the good.

Lord Jesus, You had the way prepared before You prepared the way before me.  Guide me in the goodness and grace You provide that I would walk according to the way You have established.  Lead me in the righteousness You give that in You, and only in You, would I walk this day and every day.  You are the Lord of my salvation and the only One that knows what is needed.  Amen.

“A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows, is God in His holy habitation.  God makes a home for the lonely; he leads out the prisoners into prosperity, only the rebellious dwell in a parched land.”  (Psalm 68:5-6)

This world makes much ado about nothing.  Do not be politically correct, but be corrected by the One who knows all things and walk in the way of His prosperity.  Do not gain things in this world, but build up the eternal ways of the Lord in your heart that you may know the bounty of the Lord which is available to all.  Come then into His presence and do not be thirsty, but filled with His goodness.

Lord, I get caught up in wanting to be like this world.  Help me shed such desires that I may walk humbly before You,my God and Savior.  Lead me through the desert paths of this world and their false mirages to see clearly the goodness that is right before me.  Lead me in the way of eternal prosperity that I may abide in the richness of Your love.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead us in the narrow way of true wealth, which is abiding in You now and forever.  Humble my heart that I may see the goodness that comes by Your  grace and live into the everlasting life You have made possible for all who believe.  Lead me, O Lord, and give me a heart that will follow You alone through all that will come until we meet face to face.  Amen.

“But let the righteous be glad; let them exult before God; yes, let them rejoice with gladness.  Sing to God, sing praises to His name; lift up a song for Him who rides through the deserts, whose name is the Lord, and exult before Him.”  (Psalm 68:3-4)

Live the life you have been given.  Do what the Lord gives you to do.  Enjoy the daily life as it comes.  Through it all, sing praises to the Lord who made you, knowing that it is He who created all things and shares all that He made with us.  Rejoice and be glad, for God is good and gracious and shares of His bounty.  Sing praises and live uprightly before the Maker of all things.

Lord, I become worried in the ups and downs of daily life and do not remember Your goodness.  Help me now and always to see each day the good things You have provided in my life.  Let me learn how to rejoice in all circumstances knowing that You alone are God and all goodness comes from You.  May I sing praises to You now and always, Lord, for Your goodness.

Lord Jesus, thank You for coming into this world to lead us in a new way of living.  Help me relax today.  Not be lazy, but relax and go about the business You give me to do that I may live in praise and thanksgiving for all of Your goodness.  Help me now and always to be a person of praise and to sing new songs to You for Your goodness.  Ride before me, Lord, in whatever direction You will lead me.  Amen.

“Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered, and let those who hate Him flee before Him.  As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; as wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish before God.”  (Psalm 68:1-2)

The way of the wicked is before us.  It remains in every culture, time and place.  First, the Lord must remove the wickedness in us.  By His grace and mercy He does. Then He will remove all wickedness from among the faithful.  This is the prayer of the righteous.  Lord, melt away all the wickedness of the world that only faithfulness would remain and righteous praise be heard.

Lord it is easy for me to deflect the truth and say that the wicked out there need to be removed,as I say it in wickedness.  Create in me a heart that is both bold and compassionate that I would stand fast upon Your Word in full repentance, while also desiring Your Kingdom and the goodness that has been displaced in this world by the wicked.  Lead me Lord where I need to be.

Lord Jesus, You are the hope of every generation.  Lead me in the way of truth that I would first seek You and the righteousness You offer, knowing that only then shall all other things that are needed be added.  Help me through the daily struggles to know that there are wicked in the world, and sometimes I am one of them; but my trust and hope is in You, O Lord, my God and my Savior.  Amen.

“The body is not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.” (1 Corinthians 6:13)

Perhaps you have heard the first part (“not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord”), but how frequently have you heard the second part (“the Lord for the body”)?  Your body, that two-legged thing that you are, with all its wobbly bits—the Lord is for it.  He is intended for it, you might say.

It’s the promise that the Church may not make frequently enough.  God sent our Lord Jesus for a specific purpose: to become flesh (John 1:14), that He might bring about “the redemption of our bodies” (Romans 8:23). These bodies, headed towards the grave—God wants them.  He wants you, flesh and bone, both for your sake and for His glory, that His creation might experience the joy for which He created, namely, His Son.

Thus He sent His Son to cancel the power of sin, death, and the devil and to reveal God’s redemption in His own flesh.  This flesh He now bestows on the Church, His new creation, by joining believers to Himself in the Spirit and promising them a share in His resurrection (what else is Holy Communion?).  Your body (you!) has a Lord, a groom and a guardian, and therefore, it has a future (a happy one!).  And so, as St. Paul writes, glorify God in your body (1 Corinthians 6:20).

LET US PRAY:  O God, who created our father, Adam, from the dust of the earth, and fashioned our mother, Eve, from his side: we praise You for Your new Adam, our Lord Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, sent into our flesh that our flesh might rise in His Spirit.  Grant us grace to glorify You in our bodies, living for You, even as You live for us; through Christ our Lord.  Amen

Pastor Steven K. Gjerde

Zion, Wausau