“Fight the good fight of faith;”
I am in a quandary. Should I do this OR Should I do that? A quandary is NOT NECESSARILY the place I enjoy living because when in a quandary, when caught between a decision, a “this or a that,” then I find that the “easy” answer is to make no change, to take the “easy road.”
Last evening, I enjoyed the immense pleasure of sitting with my son-in-law as he shared photos from his most recent adventure in Normandy, France. He traveled there specifically to visit the historic sites where the D-Day battle occurred. Omaha Beach & Utah Beach—bloody beaches & the launch of America’s decision to enter WWII. Now it is true, the bombing of Pearl Harbor was a most horrible day and actually a day when our leaders knew we needed to retaliate. Just as important was the day of “Operation Bodyguard” when we stormed the beaches of Normandy.
As I sat there listening to him speak about the battles, about the battle site, about the decisions made, and about the strength of this battalion and that battalion, (as a history buff) I found myself fascinated. As I arise and study the Scripture, I find myself reflective—thinking deeply about the “battle,” about the “fight” we must each FIGHT as children of God. Jesus Christ is the King of Kings & Lord of Lords, and our commander Almighty God is clear in His life instruction, in His Word.
See with me in Paul’s first letter to Timothy, Paul gives him this instruction, this battle plan to follow as this young preacher serves on the battlefield of life. God has placed Timothy in the fight of faith, in the battle, just as God does for each one of us. God’s Holy Word is given to us as our protection and as our motivation and as our instruction-manual and as our “orders” to follow so that we may move forward—marching in God’s might and wisdom and strength.
“But flee from these things [flee temptation, foolish and harmful desires, the love of money, and snares that plunge us into ruin and destruction], you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love; perseverance and gentleness.
Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life in which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate,
that you keep the commandment without strain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, . . . .”
(1 Timothy 6: 11-14)
As with the battles found within the Old Testament, fighting a battle is never “pretty” or “un-bloody.” Fighting a war is filled with one battle followed by another, followed by another battle, followed by another, followed by another, followed by. . . . I think we get the picture. When we gave our heart to God, our Father never said, “Come follow me for a life of ease and a life of richness found within this earthly life.”
Rather, Jesus said, “Come follow me, going wherever I lead” (a paraphrase).
So, today, I find conviction—In the quandary of THIS—OR–THAT. Should I do this OR Should I do that? Should I have done this OR done that? Should I have said this OR that, spoken those words OR those words? Should I have taken the “easy road” and stood in silence OR Should I have fought the good fight of faith and been bold with my speech?
Much of the spiritual life involves fighting against sin and battling the devil who wants to see us fail. A life of faith is quite tough. Thank goodness, the entire battle does not need to be won today because today I may only need to storm the beach. Tomorrow, I may need to dig a bunker and construct a watchtower, and the tomorrow after tomorrow may be the day for advancing the battalion.
Thank goodness, today is not the day I must fight the whole war.
Thank goodness, today is the day I can team up with fellow worshippers and “fight the good fight of faith, . . .” (1 Timothy 6: 12a)
Thank goodness, IN CHRIST, WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS.
THANK GOODNESS WE SERVE A MIGHTY GOD!
The believers & the followers of God & the soldiers with Christ & the children of Holy God—WE CAN “FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH” WITH GOD’S GUIDANCE & LEADERSHIP, FOLLOWING HIS BATTLE-PLAN FOR THE REMAINDER OF OUR DAYS OF OUR EARTHLY LIFE!
THANK YOU, ALMIGHTY GOD!
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DAILY PROVISION OF ESCAPE FROM THE QUANDARIES OF LIFE.
THANK YOU—ALMIGHTY GOD—FOR FAITH, FOR YOUR PRESENCE AS WE MARCH WITH YOU.
THANK YOU.
Thank you, Nancy! I needed these words today. I, too, am in a quandary. I have been praying asking guidance for how I should approach a situation and what words I need to say in order to stand up for what I know is true, but also to let someone special to me know I love them, but cannot, and will not, agree with them. Please pray with me, friend, as I will with you. I am so thankful for your friendship and words of wisdom! I love you! ❤️
Edwina, I so needed to study and write about those words. I too can be in such a quandary, forgetting that my timing, my calendar IS NOT GOD’S TIMING OR CALENDAR! Edwina, I will pray for you, praying that God will give you the words you need to say. God did that for me yesterday on my plane ride home. God is so Faithful. God Always Provides!
Edwina, I am so very thankful for you, thankful that we get to walk together through this earthly life. I LOVE YOU, My Friend.