Neville Chamberlain was duped during World War II. As Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, he appeased Hitler and acquiesced to his demands. Chamberlain believed Hitler was a man of peace who would simply be satisfied with regaining lands that once were part of Germany.
So he did nothing when Hitler acquired Austria and the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia. Chamberlain realized too late that Hitler’s word meant nothing, and as German tanks rolled into Poland, Great Britain had to declare war.
Sometimes I wonder whether I’m a spiritual Chamberlain, oblivious to the fact that I’m at war. Consider Jude 1:9, which says, “Michael was arguing with the devil about Moses’ body.” What?! Michael and Satan tussled over Moses’ dead body? Now flip to the story of Moses, which simply says “the LORD buried him . . . but to this day no one knows the exact place” (Deuteronomy 34:6). Apparently that simple statement, “the LORD buried him,” conceals a lot of angelic activity.
I don’t know what Satan wanted with Moses’ body. Perhaps he wanted to parade it in front of the Israelites to dishearten them. Perhaps he simply wanted a souvenir.
I wonder if Satan shadowed the Israelites during their trek in the desert. Did he hound them into grumbling about food and the size of the giants in the Promised Land? When he saw an opening did he swoop in to scoop up Moses? How would the Israelites have responded if they realized their trials were part of a larger war?
The first soldiers to die are often the ones who don’t know they’re in a battle. Be on guard, you’re at war.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 10:16-42
More:
Read 2 Kings 6:8-23 to learn about the unseen world.
Next:
Think of a temptation that grips you from time to time. How will it help you to remember that your obedience is part of a larger, cosmic war?
ruth o'reilly-smith on July 15, 2013 at 1:30 am
We have so many things that keep us distracted from this truth; that we are in a spiritual war. Our cell phones, the TV, radio, internet,billboard marketing, all keep us busy and numb to the voice of the Holy Spirit who is constantly guiding, leading and warning us. I pray we would make time to be still and know God and His will (Psalm 46:10), that we would distance ourselves intentionally from all these distractions so that we would remain constantly aware of this truth and be on our guard. Thanks Mike.
mike on July 15, 2013 at 6:12 am
Thanks for a very healthy reminder of where our battle resides.
So many times I find myself trying to resolve life trials on my own or in my own way.
The battle belongs to the Lord not to me.
Thanks again.
Blessings
mike wittmer on July 15, 2013 at 8:30 am
Ruth and Mike, you are so right. I think Satan keeps us distracted from what really matters by bombarding us with trivia and news that really doesn’t affect us. I’m developing a rule of thumb: the importance of a thing is inversely proportional to the noise it makes. Creeks are noisy because they’re shallow, but still waters run deep!
cherylwalker51 on July 15, 2013 at 8:34 am
i’m going through some pain right now @ times i wonder why is God allowing this situation to go on and i’m tempted to doubt He loves me because why would a “loving Father” let me feel this deep hurt for this long then i get reminded of Roman’s 8:28 so it tells me even, in time, this will end up being a good thing for me it’s just the waiting for it that’s the hardest
tom felten on July 15, 2013 at 5:15 pm
Cheryl, you’re in my prayers today—may God give you His comfort as you walk through this season of pain. Peace. Romans 15:13
winn collier on July 22, 2013 at 5:25 pm
that image of Satan shadowing God’s people in the desert is particularly striking to me, something there.