We live every day behind enemy lines. No place to relax, is it!
The Scriptures teach us that we are part of an army. Perhaps we don’t often think of it that way. But maybe that’s because this army is so unlike any other army in history. It is a truly remarkable fighting force.
It is remarkable in purpose. All other armies exist to destroy men. But the one of which we are a part is motivated by love for all men (1 Thess. 3:12), and seeks not their destruction but their salvation. We have enemies, to be sure, but such enemies aren’t men; our struggle is not against flesh and blood.
It is remarkable in its assets. We have limitless resources (Eph. 3:8), perfect intelligence (Col. 2:3), impenetrable armor (Eph. 6:11), omnipotent weapons (2 Cor. 10:4), and our ultimate victory is certain (Rom. 8:37).
It is remarkable in composition. This army is comprised entirely of defectors! Every last one of us was once an enemy of the Commander we now love (Rom. 5:10). But while we were yet sinners, He died for us. His Spirit strove with us. One day our eyes and hearts were opened to see who He really is. And in a moment we switched sides! We were delivered from the domain of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of His dear Son (Col. 1:13). And though we were once His foes, He now calls us His friends (Jn. 15:15).
It is remarkable in origin. What is the source of all of the wonders of this army? Surely it’s not in the soldiers themselves! What kind of people are we? Not many wise, not many mighty, not many noble. In short, not the kind of people that one would choose as soldiers. But Someone did choose us!
It is remarkable in the Captain who leads. He is the reason this army is so extraordinary. Our purpose is from Him; He loved the lost long before we did. Our assets are found only in Him (Eph. 1:3). And as to His army’s composition, He started out with no one and yet, by His own glory and excellence, has drawn to Himself an army of countless volunteers that stretches around the world and reaches across time.
But this Captain is also the pre-eminent Soldier. Every battle we face is one in which we can enjoy victory because He has gone before us. He always does, you know. God “always causeth us to triumph in Christ” (2 Cor. 2:14). He doesn’t leave His soldiers to fight His wars. Nor does He merely join in the battle; He goes before.
The children of Israel stood on the brink of the land of Canaan. They thought that all was ready. But that night, their Joshua met our Joshua. At first he thought Him only a man. “Are you for us or for our enemies?” he asked the Newcomer. But the Visitor wasn’t for anyone. He had come not as a conscript, but as Captain of the host of the Lord. And what a Captain He was! He led them into the promised land, and as long as they trusted and obeyed Him, no enemy could stand in their path. It has always been this way, and it will in the end.
Two thousand years ago the Lord Jesus met and single-handedly conquered the foes that had previously enjoyed universal victory. None could stand in His path. He now calls us to war; to a daily battle against His enemies – enemies that are more than a match for us, but no match at all for Him. If we will but follow Him, we will see every enemy melt before Him. Our Captain is The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. He is the Lord of hosts. He is the King of glory (Ps. 24:10). He is the Captain of the host of the Lord (Josh. 5:13). He is the Captain of our salvation (Heb. 2:10). And He has given us our orders: “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called…” (1 Tim. 6:12).
Forward, march!