Fight!

by Wayfarer | Category: General | Jun 1974

Spiritual warfare must begin in the sanctuary. We do not mean that before we go forth to war we must meet our God in His place of approach and gather strength from Him, and from a study in God's presence of the perfect example of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is unquestionably true and worthy of our most earnest attention assuredly.

But it is actually in the presence of God that conflict begins. This is most clearly proved by various instances to be found chiefly in the Old Testament history. We might cite Jacob when he wrestled with God and won for himself the name of Israel by the earnestness with which he sought after a blessing. It was not that God did not wish to bless Jacob. Quite the contrary, but God desired to prove him, to test how far he was really and truly in earnest in seeking that which he asked. Somewhat similar was it when Abraham was pleading for Sodom. Everything he asked he got; he was never refused nor chidden for asking. He got down to ten and won his wish, then he stopped. God was testing him, and we venture to say that God has caused this record to be penned with divine delight in the revelation it affords alike of God's goodness and of Abraham's faith.

But in other portions of the Old Testament the definite opposition of a third party is made very plain. Even as early as the book of Job we read of Satan appearing before God and among the sons of God. He appears as the Adversary, and Jehovah allows him his own way in measure.

We direct attention to the passages in the book of Numbers where the Levites who are of sufficient age enter into the sanctuary to spend their lives in conflict; there they war the warfare (see margin of R.V.). It is interesting to note that whilst a man of twenty might go forth to battle against men like himself, greater maturity was needed for those who warred in the sanctuary against the spiritual enemies there (compare Numbers 1, 2,3 with 4:23 and 8:24).

We suggest that if more attention were paid to warfare in the sanctuary we should find it comparatively easy to fight the enemy in the gate. But let us remember that it is not alone the Devil and his hosts of wicked spirits whom we have to encounter in the heavenly places. We take with us, in the guise of friends, our life-long companions, the desires of the flesh and of the mind. These are the enemies who never flee, who never leave us, whom we can never shame. Whatever we may do to them they come up smiling with fresh proposals, ostensibly for our welfare; pertinacious and persistent they are, and how we need to cry to God for His help!

And here is our comfort and hope. For whilst our enemies are lively and strong, whilst we ourselves are helpless against them, they wilt and wither at the breath of His countenance.

Wayfarer | Jun 1974
General