My father served in the Army during World War II. He rose to the rank of Master Sargent at lightning speed, being promoted to an Administrative NCO for an Ordinance Group at his post in Luzon, New Guinea. He was honorably discharged after the Battle of Luzon. A land battle of the Pacific Theater of Operations of World War II by the Allied forces of the U.S., its colony the Philippines, and allies against forces of the Empire of Japan. The battle resulted in a U.S. and Filipino victory.
Dad didn’t talk much about his time in the Army, apart from his experience during an air-raid with sirens blasting. He had a choice to make in avoiding enemy attack. Jumping into the nearest trench he discovered, with a few choice words, that it was the latrine. Now, that’s funny.
What isn’t funny is the unseen battle that exists on every front in the Believers life. You see, we have an enemy that hates us, but his tactics are quite different. He leaves wounds on the inside, not like the visible ones on the outside.
Paul reminds us in his letter to the Ephesian church, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Chapter 6, verse 12, ESV)
Thankfully he doesn’t end there. He provides us with the antidote to this spiritual battle in the following verses. “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 firm. (Verse 13) ……. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. (Verse 18-b). Supplication meaning to ask earnestly or humbly in prayer.
Friends, the battle is real, but the victory is His in Christ Jesus.
And that’s the Memo.
Steve
