In that day the LORD of host will be for a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty to the remnant of His people, for a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgement, and for strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.
{Isaiah 28:5,6}
As I read those words, I immediately thought to myself, "That could be my generation."
My generation could turn back the battle at gates.
There is something amiss if the battle is being fought at the very gates of the city. In ancient warfare, the battles were fought on grounds outside the city. Only in times of siege and just before the complete conquest of a city is the battle fought at the gate. The army must be crushed before the battle can be brought to the gate.
Church, we have been under siege for a long time. Slowly, but surely, the enemy of our souls has besieged our faith and commitment to the pure truth of the gospel. Complacency is his ally and false security and idleness his friends. The lack of physical oppression has caused us to slack in our fight for the faith. "Contend earnestly," Jude says, "for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints."
The prophet Joel cries out, "Prepare for war! Wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near, Let them come up. Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, 'I am strong."'... Cause Your mighty ones to go down there, O LORD."
The enemy is at hand, Church. He will not leave because we ask him nicely. He will not leave just because we call ourselves Christians. He will fight for dominance over our lives, over our families, over our nations, over our very souls.
We have allowed the battle to come to our gates, to the very threshold of our homes and churches. We have allowed ourselves to be put on the defense. Defense is NOT the default setting of the Redeemed of the Lord! Jesus did not pour out His life in bloody sacrifice so we could defend ourselves. No. He snatched us from the jaws of hell and made us sons and daughters of the Most High King. He has given us weapons that are mighty for the pulling down of enemy strongholds, that are filled with the power of the Spirit to vanquish our foes. "Let the high praises of God be in their mouths and a two-edged sword in their hand," says the Psalms.
Our default position as warriors of El Elyon should be offensive. We do not flee before the enemy; we do not give ground to him or his minions. We take ground. We hold fast. We wield the sword and speak the Name that is above every name, Jesus.
Now is the time, Church. Now is the time to turn the tide of battle. It has come to our gate and now is the time to wake up, pull out our weapons and fight. Fight for the hearts of the next generation. Fight for purity and unity in the Body. Fight for the souls still enslaved by the enemy.
Though we may lose a battle, we already know the outcome of the war. It was won long ago when our beautiful, sinless Yeshua went through hell for us. When He walked out of the tomb, He took captivity captive and broke the power of death.
{The war was won.}
So battle on, Church, in strength and courage.
