by Eugene Higgins
The Invisible Enemy
It seems that we are at war. At least one could assume that from the terminology being used all over the world. President Trump is being called a “Wartime President.” He has “mobilized” resources to fight against this unseen foe. Platoons of selfless caregivers and medical personnel (many of whom are risking their lives daily and for whom we should be constantly praying) are described as being “on the frontlines” of this “battle.” Referring to the present conditions, an email from GMC reads: “Together we can conquer any challenge.” Domenico Arcuri, Italy’s extraordinary commissioner for the emergency, said during a recent press conference, “This virus is an invisible, strong, and unknown enemy … We can win this war by counting on the sacrifice of all citizens.” In the same vein, countless writers have spoken of human nature as “indomitable,” assuring us that we have conquered pandemics like this in the past and we will “overcome.”
Perhaps it would be valuable for all of us believers to remember that we are, in fact, at war – and at war with an invisible enemy; not a novel virus but an old villain. “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph 6:12). Our foe is ruthless, malevolent, and crafty; and we are no match for him. Luther had it right in his “Battle Hymn of the Reformation”:
“For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.”
Thoughts of his cruelty and power could lead to enervating despair, if the battle were ours. But thank God it is not. David the shepherd boy, facing a foe far greater than he, said, “All this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands” (1 Sam 17:47). The lesser known Jahaziel, one of those sturdy sons of Asaph, encouraged his people with these words: “Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, ‘Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s’” (2 Chr 20). And who could forget Moses’ Red Sea sermon? “The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace” (Ex 14). Listen to Luther again:
“Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask Who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.”
And win He shall, sharing His victory with His people and reigning for ever and ever. In the meantime, we need to follow the exhortations to stand fast, undeterred by discouraging conditions or the realization of our appalling weakness or the strength and size of the foe. Again and again the Scriptures endeavor to pour fresh life and heart into us:
Stand fast in the faith: “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (1 Co 16:13).
Stand fast in the liberty Christ has given, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free” (Gal 5:1).
Stand fast in unity: “… stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Php 1:27).
Stand fast in the Lord: “Stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved” (Php 4:1).
Stand fast in faithfulness: “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle” (2Th 2:15).
We are descendants of a long line of faithful believers, martyrs, and servants, (See Hebrews 12:1); women and men who faced the foe, assured that victory would ultimately be Christ’s and theirs. We are likely so near to the return of the Lord Jesus that perhaps we constitute the last line, the last battalion in the battle. “The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly (Romans 16:20). How significant that John should use the same Greek expression in Revelation 1:1, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass”!
In Pilgrim’s Progress, Bunyan writes that Prudence questions Christian about his steadfastness. She asks, “Can you remember by what means you find your annoyances, at times, as if they were vanquished?” Christian tells her there are four things that sustain him through the trials, battles, and difficulties he faces: “Yes, when I think what I saw at the cross, that will do it; and when I look upon my broidered coat, that will do it; also when I look into the roll that I carry in my bosom, that will do it; and when my thoughts wax warm about whither I am going, that will do it.” The cross, the conversion he experienced, the promises of God, and thoughts of HOME. Christian said “that will do it.” I think it will do it for us as well!