The watchman Jack cannot sleep like a log. He was troubled. His body was under attack and he was fed up. He questioned, “How can the enemy be so seemingly ‘powerful’? Why was he under attack often when he went to one particular geographical location?” He even told God he was fed up. Indeed, when he went to his father-in-law’s house recently he was again attacked with the old back-ache symptoms.Given a choice he would never want to go there or anywhere near any unbeliever’s living quarters in view of the spiritual defilement and idolatry stronghold. He is a peaceful man who has enjoyed many generations of simple peaceful Christian living. However, there are things in life that are called ‘obligations’. Jack knew he had no option as far as this assignment was concerned.
He suffered the whole day even after the long drive back to his own home. He tried to rest in bed but the aches continued. He claimed divine healing to no apparent result. So he finally got up and told God he was fed up. Then he decided to read God’s words regardless of the physical symptoms. He was drawn to read all the verses about end time and spiritual warfare and victory for no particular reasons. After reading he reminded himself he was giving the enemy too much attention. So he resolved not to make the same mistake. He took a warm shower and a ginger drink which he had never taken, though a favorite of his wife’s. He did not know why he took it except that he heard his spirit ask him to do so. (Without the Holy Spirit, you can take as much such stuff as possible and nothing would happen!)
After that, despite the unchanged physical symptoms, he went to church to worship God. He worshiped and praised God as usual. He knelt down and bent his back as usual. He did not pray for any healing as it was not on his mind at all. He made up his mind to give God the full attention and glory. When the sermon started he was relieved that someone else did the translation instead of him. When the speaker spoke he was not surprised that she spoke about end time and what manners of persons we ought to be in holy conduct and godliness (2 Peter 3:11). The Holy Spirit indeed prompted him to read these verses that same afternoon when he was determined to listen to the Holy Spirit.
During the sermon he had to leave as he was asked to take his relatives (whose three young infants were making too much noise) home. When he got up from his seat, he found that he was healed completely. The symptoms vanished without his notice. He went home a very convicted man. Yes, he learned a lesson of faith living in practice. How was he healed? He knew in theory but lacked patience in practice. But God was merciful and patient.
The lesson Jack learned is summarized as follows:
1. We live by faith and not by sight.
2. We trust God’s word which contains His will.
3. We proclaim God’s words (victory) and not ours.
4. Our role is to put on the whole armor of God and stand still.
5. God will take charge.Be still and know that He is God!!
6. We continue to worship and praise God for His faithfulness, grace and mercy regardless of the symptoms. Always give God the glory!!!
7. Never make the enemy prominent in our lives. He is merely a deceiver. Resist him and he will flee!
Here are some of the verses Jack had read and proclaimed during his struggle: (He prays that you will be blessed too!)
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
Ephesians 6:10-18 The Whole Armor of God
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[a] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
2 Peter 3:9-14
9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
The Day of the Lord
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Be Steadfast
14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
Malachi 4:1-3 The Great Day of God
1 “For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up,” Says the LORD of hosts, “ That will leave them neither root nor branch.
2 But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings;
And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves.
3 You shall trample the wicked, For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet On the day that I do this,” Says the LORD of hosts.
Isaiah 58:6-8
6 “ Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh?
8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Isaiah 32:15-18 Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, And the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, And the fruitful field is counted as a forest.
The Peace of God’s Reign
16 Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, And righteousness remain in the fruitful field.
17 The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.
18 My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, In secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places,
Isaiah 10:27
27 It shall come to pass in that day That his burden will be taken away from your shoulder, And his yoke from your neck, And the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil.
Psalm 121 A Song of Ascents.
1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.
8 The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore.
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