James 4:7
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
I served in the military and was also a police officer. In both of those professions I had training experience on the firing range. I can still hear the words ringing out loud and clear: “Ready on the right? Ready on the left? Commence firing!” After a specified period of time the command was shouted: “Cease fire!”
During periods of war, combatants listened for the command to filter down that they were to “cease fire.” That meant they would no longer face the threat of enemy fire and would be heading home to family and friends. I still remember as a young boy seeing special editions of the newspapers with huge headlines that proclaimed “CEASE FIRE!” A sense of joy swept the streets as people shouted out the news!
We are in a battle with the enemy of our souls. There will be times when we feel as if we cannot continue, but that is not an option for us. To paraphrase the words of Tennyson, “Ours is not to reason why. Ours is just to do or die.”
There will come a time when we have made our last stand, and the Commander of the Lord’s Army will issue the order for us to cease fire. Until that time we need to stay at our post and do as He commands!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil