Going, Fighting and Saving

"For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you" Deuteronomy 20:4


I was at home today and thinking about the goodness of Jesus and the Lord brought this scripture to my heart.  I was so grateful that God chose that specific moment to encourage me.  It was a moment in time that He reserved just for Him and me.  I began to seek him about this season in my life and how this word applies to me right now.  I began to ask God for understanding and wisdom to apply this word to my life.

At first I was rather bewildered because I am not going through any catastrophic events in my life right now.  I really wanted understand why out of all the things the Lord wanted me to focus on at that moment was this scripture.  So I did what I do, I began to praise Him.  Although I was still looking for direction I began to praise Him because He chose to spend time with me and speak.  That is one of the things that I love about this loving God that I serve.  He is not at all out of reach, He sees all, knows all , hears me when I cry and yes.........He even STILL SPEAKS TODAY! 

About an hour in a half later as I was still before God thanking Him for so many things the Lord brought revelation to me.  Often times I think of enemies as those people, things, concepts that are blatantly fighting against you.  The thing that you can noticeably identify as the opposing team and you do everything in your power to stand your ground.  But today, God started revealing those enemies that are somewhat secretive.  The enemies that are camouflaged in the background that are harder to see and even harder to fight.  These specific kinds of enemies are known to commit what are referred to as sneak attacks and before you notice they are there the damage has already been done.

The enemies that the Lord wanted me to deal with were just as real and a threat as those enemies that I notice daily.  As I began to identify different enemies and even the tactics that were being used I thought, "God no wonder you have to go with me because I can't do this alone."  This scripture's meaning is so much more profound to me.  Because it is saying that God is not just going once, but He is continually, purposefully going with you and me.  What is the purpose you ask?  Well to fight FOR you against your enemies.  What is the end result?  To save you. 

The end result makes it all worth it.  All of the fighting, the denying, the crucifying flesh daily, the cares of this life, and all of the other things that you and I  have to deal with  in this daily walk can sometimes be a little heavy.  I have my good days and bad days just like everyone else, however, the cause of why I choose to live the way I do is because I know the One who is fighting for me to save me.  Life is life and we are not in control of it at all.  To be truthful, I don't want to be...that is way too much pressure.  But I am grateful that the great I AM is still choosing to go with me and is saving me.

The same God that is going with me is also the same God that has made this promise to my children.  Yes, although they are millions of miles away God is promising that he is fighting for them.  And not just fighting for them, but is fighting the secretive enemies that we don't always talk about.  The outside environment in Ethiopia normally gets a lot of publicity.  The number of cases of AIDS, malnutrition, malaria, poor health care, even poorer education system, poverty.....but God is promising to not only save from the outside environment but God is fighting the spiritual things that we are blinded by.  God is fighting the generational curses, the set ups by the enemy, the spirits that are unlike Him..........

That is just the kind of God that I serve.  He is not concerned with just the outward appearance but He is dealing with the things that touch our hearts.  God is good!  Even those secret enemies don't stand a chance when you allow God to fight your battles.  I can't wait to tell J and J the promise that God revealed to me today.  As Shawn and I get closer and closer to bringing J and J home from Ethiopia, God continues to give me hope that He has not forgotten me, Shawn or even many many miles away....J and J.