March 16, 2022 -- I Timothy 6:12 -- In peace and in war, there is Jesus

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
I Timothy 6:12 ESV

There is something about Zelensky that captures the imagination. Against overwhelming odds and being hard pressed on every side, he is working tirelessly to make the plight of the Ukrainian people known through-out the world. In war-torn settings, he is valiantly and constantly appealing for help and holding governments accountable for the promises that were made in peacetime. There is a stirring Bible-picture behind these actions, a backdrop that seems vast and right. But I would urge you to be cautious fellow believer; it is God alone Who knows the heart of every leader and every soldier. The Living God uses every circumstance so that people will not rely on their own strength or human help, which is vain. Instead, at the moment of truth, the LORD prompts you to ask: "where does my help come from?" (Psalm 121:1).

The Christian confesses the Eternal God is the shield and salvation of His people (Psalm 18:2). The man of God knows the LORD of heaven and earth will use every means necessary so that the thrones and powers of this age are exposed as evil and sin is thrown down; it is the LORD Who plants or uproots nations and powers (Jeremiah 1:10). His revealed purpose is that the whole earth will be judged against the standard of Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:19-20).

The allegiance of the Christian is not primarily to a particular earthly country or kingdom—the Christian is a citizen of the Kingdom of Light where Christ is the King (Philippians 3:20; Colossians 1:12-14). The Christian knows that the order of this world will always be shattered and reshaped according to the holy purposes of the King of Heaven. Just think of the Bible example: Pharaoh thrown down; even God’s own kings, when they were unfaithful, were judged and thrown from power.

The good fight of faith requires the man of God to fix his eyes on Jesus Christ and serve Him only. The good fight of faith begins on your knees, appealing to God for His Spirit’s wisdom as you bury yourself in the Word of God. The good fight of faith recognizes that it is the good pleasure of the Sovereign of Heaven and Earth to uproot nations and overthrow kingdoms and raise others up in order that the glory of Jesus Christ will be revealed.

Pray that you will take hold of the eternal life which is given you in Jesus Christ.

Pray for the eyes of faith which will see this conflict in the light of God’s purposes—the elevation of Jesus Christ in the eyes of every nation, person and heart.

Pray for Christians in every land—Russia, the Ukraine, all the nations. 

Pray for Christian leaders, whom God has placed in strategic positions for a time such as this, to serve and act in accord with the eternal life to which they have been called.

Pray recognizing in the past the Sovereign LORD used faithless world leaders to discipline His people and bring about a change in powers which ultimately diffused greater evils and paved the way for renewal (think of the prophecy of Habakkuk).

O LORD, I have heard the report of you,
    and your work, O LORD, do I fear.
In the midst of the years revive it;
    in the midst of the years make it known;
    in wrath remember mercy.
  God came from Teman,
    and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah
His splendor covered the heavens,
    and the earth was full of his praise.
  His brightness was like the light;
    rays flashed from his hand;
    and there he veiled his power.
  Before him went pestilence,
    and plague followed at his heels.
 He stood and measured the earth;
    he looked and shook the nations;
then the eternal mountains were scattered;
    the everlasting hills sank low.
    His were the everlasting ways.
   yet, I will rejoice in the LORD;
    I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
Habakkuk 3:2-6;18 ESV

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