THE ENEMY IS NEAR!

The ancient city of Ninevah, the capital of the Assyrian empire felt invincible. That is when God revealed to the prophet Nahum that it would be destroyed, so they better be prepared for the coming assault. Here is what he wrote: "He who scatters has come up before your face. Man the fort!  Watch the road! Strengthen your flanks! Fortify your power mightily (Nahum 2:1). What can we learn from the words of Nahum to Ninevah? While this was not written for the Christian today we nevertheless face an enemy who is relentless. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" (1 Peter 5:8). Do you think you could win a fight against a roaring lion? I very much doubt it. We are most vulnerable when we think we are secure in our own strength. That was Ninevah’s fatal mistake. Originally the city repented of their wickedness when God sent Jonah to them, but lapsed back into their evil ways. Despite its formidable defenses and strategic location Nineveh fell, emphasizing the futility of relying on human strength and fortifications when God chooses to act in judgment. If the Christian relies on his, or her own strength, they will also fall. This is why we read, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). It is also why we are commanded to be properly clothed with spiritual armor in Ephesians 6. Go back to what Nahum wrote of Ninevah. Man the fort! This means to be always ready for the enemies attack. Watch the road!  This means to be vigilant and never let your guard down. Strengthen your flanks!  In military terms, the flanks of an army are often the most susceptible to attack. What is weak link in the Christian life?  Is it your pride, a desire for the accumulation of wealth, or sexual temptation”? We all face those areas of our life which the devil will exploit. What should we do? Recall what Ninevah was told. Fortify your power mightily”. For the Christian that power comes from God alone. The Tyndale Bible Dictionary defines power as the “ability to do things, by virtue of strength, skill, resources, or authorization.” The Bible says a Christian’s power comes from God through the Holy Spirit. We have plenty of resources available to us but there is no substitute for our close walk with the Lord and His protection over us. This comes from a Spirit filled life and to be filled (controlled) by the Spirit means we must surrender to Him. Paul prayed for the Ephesians, “that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man” (Ephesians 3:16). The inner man is where the battle rages. Only the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of holiness can give us the power to lead a holy life starting within the heart and be victorious on Satan’s desire to sift us like wheat and destroy our testimony before the world.

Keep pressing on,

Pastor Tom