Devotional Index

January Devotional

The War at Home

II Corinthians 10:4: "(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;"

One of the ladies from my church recently shared with me some disturbing news. She told of a young woman who just last week gave birth to a baby boy. This precious young life was born with a serious disease however, one that in many cases, with proper treatment, can be dealt with, resulting in a normal, healthy life. I was saddened to learn the mother had taken the advice of her doctor, choosing what is referred to as "compassionate care." This "compassionate care" is the term given to simply withholding the potentially lifesaving surgery, which is absolutely necessary if there is to be any hope for the child surviving. In short, "compassionate care" is standing back and waiting for the baby to die.

Even as I sit here typing these words, I find myself grasping desperately to try to comprehend the motivation behind this action. It is ghastly and grotesque, impossible for a believer to fully understand. I pray, I plead for God's perfect peace, the peace that surpasses our understanding, and graciously He gives it to me.

You see, while our troops are stretched perilously across the globe in countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan fighting the war against terrorism, Christians here are engaged in a much different battle. We are pitted against a different terror. Tearing at the very spiritual and moral fabric of our country is a dangerous spiritual terrorism. This terrorism chooses convenience over responsibility. This terrorism chooses unnecessary death where life is fully possible. This terrorism seeks to numb, to paralyze, to desensitize those who know better. And what's worse, it's succeeding! The fabric is ripping at the seams! Did you know that in 2005, in Wisconsin alone, this terrorism claimed 9,817 unborn souls? Almost 10,000 casualties! These were children that never had the chance to see the light of day, children that never got so much as a glance at their mother's face. We are in a bitter, ugly war. Sounds depressing, huh? But there is hope.

If you've forgotten, open your Bible right now and be reminded; get equipped! Let the apostle Paul remind you this very moment that, " ³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: ⁴ (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) ⁵ Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" — II Corinthians 10:3-5

Did you catch all of that? Our weapons have divine power! We destroy arguments and lofty opinions! Wow! This is amazing news. We are not defenseless. And let's not be "offense-less" either. We have promises straight from the Word of God stating we are equipped with powerful weaponry. So while political lobbying and social action may be important, let's not forget that in this army, we serve a sovereign, omnipotent God Who never loses control, and Who supplies us with a limitless arsenal. Let's do our part, even right now. Read the Word. Pray earnestly. Fight every argument raised against God. Thank the Lord that through Christ, we have power. We fight a war that can be won.

—Jonathan Sorensen