Where Do You Look When Surrounded by Spiritual Dangers?
2nd Lt. George Rice: Looks like you guys are going to be surrounded.
Richard Winters: We’re paratroopers, Lieutenant. We’re supposed to be surrounded.
from “Band of Brothers”
For the greatest generation, it was D-Day and so many hopeless situations. For today, it may be keeping a job, a home, or a relationship, all while trying to keep some hope alive…how can we hold onto our faith when everyone and everything else is against us? Because we will not come up empty, we cannot with the Spirit of God supplying the words.
Like paratroopers descending behind enemy lines to eventually win the day, it’s the same for us…
“Stay alert. This is hazardous work I’m assigning you. You’re going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don’t call attention to yourselves. Be as cunning as a snake, inoffensive as a dove. Don’t be naive. Some people will impugn your motives, others will smear your reputation – just because you believe in me.
Don’t be upset when they haul you before the civil authorities. Without knowing it, they’ve done you – and me – a favor, given you a platform for preaching the kingdom news! And don’t worry about what you’ll say or how you’ll say it. The right words will be there; the Spirit of your Father will supply the words. When people realize it is the living God you are presenting and not some idol that makes them feel good, they are going to turn on you, even people in your own family. There is a great irony here: proclaiming so much love, experiencing so much hate!
But don’t quit. Don’t cave in. It is all well worth it in the end. It is not success you are after in such times but survival. Be survivors! Before you’ve run out of options, the Son of Man will have arrived.” Jesus from Matthew 10:16-23, The Message
