Key Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 & Psalm 23:5-6

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;)

Psalm 23:5-6 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Relevance

On Friday night, I visited the Bendigo War Museum to attend the opening night of a special exhibition, 'The Art of Sacrifice'. George Petrou OAM displayed 17 of the 70 portraits in his captivating book of the same name. 

As I walked through, pausing at the individual paintings I had only seen in the book, I came across an interesting comment about Victoria Cross recipients. One line got my attention, which seamlessly translates into the spiritual war believers fight until that great and glorious day. 

The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious decoration of the British Decoration System. It is also Australia's highest military honour, awarded for "Exceptional Bravery in the presence of the enemy."Instituted in 1856, 102 Australians have received the VC across conflicts, from the Boer War, in which my Grandfather, the original Niven Neyland, fought, to Afghanistan, our latest war. 

I want you to pause on that reason for a minute: Exceptional Bravery in the presence of the enemy!  I don't know about you, but that statement takes me to Ephesians 6:13, Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

I think the Lord is ecstatic every time we stand firm, because He knows how difficult our battles are. Let's not forget, He made us, and His Son fought the same battles. 

In a physical war, if we are fighting for a hill, which is coveted ground in every war, it would seem pointless if our side won on day one, only to be toppled on day two. Then, on day three, we win again, but on day four, they take the hill back. To make matters worse, if the back-and-forth battle went on for years without any clear winner, it would just produce an endless war of exhausted Christian soldiers (us).

We have seen the Christian wounded many times. In fact, they may be us. Every one of us has lost that vital hill in a battle, some many times and many hills. We're told that greater is he that is in us, but often we forget that promise in the heat of battle and fight at low strength.  

We must win those spiritual battles, so we can rest and enjoy the promised peace. Like any army, if we don't fight well, we can't expect to win. However, if we want a VC from the Lord, we must employ the hill strategy of James 4:7: Submit yourselves, therefore, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. He will flee from the Hill.

Every battle hill is ours. Just like the Israelites in Canaan, where the Lord said it is ALL yours, just fight in my name, we can enjoy even greater success if we use the same principle.

That kingdom represents our lives. Therefore, the Lord will reign over every part we claim for Him. But to claim it, we must pin the flag on the Hills of battle and maintain them. If we give God our fullest in the battles, and win those hills, we can call that 'exceptional bravery in the presence of the enemy!'

Then God will 'prepare a table in the presence of the enemy' to show you that the enemy is nothing at all in the presence of God.

Praise God for His might and omnipotence. 

Prayer

Mighty Father, great is thy strength, even in our little battles which often fatigue and trouble us. Thank you for your faithfulness in our spiritual warfare. Please strengthen us as we fight for Your reign and to have Your flags flying on every hill in our lives. 

Photo Sir John Monash Centre