Resist the enemy, stand on the Rock
There were times God told His people to prepare for war with the enemy and there were times He led them in order to evade wars (Exodus 13:17-18).
“When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle.” (ESV)
And yet there are times the Bible also teaches us to resist, as a way of standing our ground in order to win a battle.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:7-8 ESV
And it seems that we are now in a battle with a very real enemy, the Covid-19 virus. And I’ve heard Christian doctors and medical advisors say that the only way to rid the virus is that we ALL stand our ground against the virus.
Just as James 4:7 calls for us to resist the devil, so the strategy to battle this virus is by resisting it. We resist this virus by keeping it away from us and keeping it away from everyone else. If everyone resists the virus, just like the devil, it has no where else to go, it will flee. It will become extinct.
1 Peter 5:8-9, gives us 3 practical directions on how we can resist the devil, which we will apply in this very situation we are all in, resisting the virus.
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” 1 Peter 5:8-9 ESV
- Be alert and watchful. Being sober means you are not drunk or distracted but focused and watchful of the issue at hand. If you want to overcome an enemy you must know how your enemy operates. Read up and be knowledgeable about the truths and facts about the “enemy” we are resisting. Know how the virus infects and spreads. Don’t accept “simple” and “straight-forward” suggestions to cures and immunity. Don’t create or accept forwarded news as real news. Be aware of who needs help. Think of ways you can pray for those in need. Be mindful of the authorities and those in medical frontlines. Cooperate and stand in unity with them. Do all you can you be alert and watchful of the whole situation, AND….
- Stand firm in the faith (vs 9). Many years ago, I heard a youth pastor preach from this very passage; his simple way of summarising this particular passage was this: when you’re not on battle ground, you must be found on Holy ground. As much as you read and come up with strategies about the enemy you face, remember to “retreat” to Holy ground, where you can find time to be close to God; to worship Him, to hear from Him, to be encouraged from Him, to receive nourishment for your soul, to pray for your daily needs and the needs of others. The Holy ground is where you receive empowerment for the battle ground.
- Be comforted. What a comforting thought that at this very moment we are all faced with, that the Bible could say “knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” Christians around the world are being united in one common goal because of this virus. Despite the church institution being unable to gather together physically, the people of God are able to gather using technology. Despite being in isolation, we know that we are not alone.
Peter goes on to assure us in the next verse that this suffering is short-lived and that God himself will see to our needs being met.
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:10 ESV
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, we are not alone in spirit because God is with us. And we are not alone in body and mind because all of us are resisting the enemy together.
To wrap this all up, I would like to share the stanza of a hymn that we sang during tonight’s family altar, to remind you that we have Christ, and we have the power to resist the virus because Christ is our solid rock.
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand
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