3-14-2014

Good Morning All,

          Nahum 1:7; “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.”

       In any military campaign, one of the key parts is to have a base or stronghold from which you can operate.  It is the place where the supplies are kept, where the healing of the wounded take place, where the strategy takes place and where the troops can fall back to in order to regroup and then begin a new attack.  One of the most critical and important part of a successful battle is the stronghold from which it unfolds.

    You and I, as Christians, are engaged in a war.  This is not the sort of cultural war that we read about on TV.  This isn’t a battle about morals or mores; it is a battle for the souls of believers everywhere.  Believers are under constant attack from the devil.  He launches his attacks of lies, deception, fear and doubt.  The attacks are real and aimed right at us.

    Many doubt that they are under attack.  They think they are immune from the devil’s arrows.  Yet the truth is believers are under constant attack.  The devil cannot attack the saints in heaven and the unbelievers are already in the devil’s camp.  The only battle is over believers.

    We are in a battle and we need a stronghold.  God enables us to do battle.  He arms us with the sword, the helmet, the breastplate; all we need to do battle.  These are vital but no soldier can fight 24 hours a day, seven days a week and survive.  He needs to be restocked, replenished and rejuvenated.  He needs a stronghold and that is what God is and that is what he supplies.  It is in this stronghold where we can heal, where we are fed and nourished, where we can retreat when the battle is too great.  It is the place to regroup.  God gives this to us in the form of His holy Church.

    It is there, in the gathering of the faithful with the guidance of the Holy Spirit that we find our place of solace.  This is where God nourishes us with his Word and his sacraments.  This is where we go to for comfort and strength.  God’s Spirit works through the Church.  God uses earthly elements to deliver his compassion and love for us.  He uses water connected to His Word for Baptism and he uses bread and wine connected to His Word for Holy Communion.  He uses our fellow Christians to be his physical arms and ears to hold and comfort, to encourage and inspire.  God provides for us a stronghold and it is our refuge.  He knows our needs and our fears and gives to us the tools to fight and the place to rest.  It is in Him who we can trust.

Gracious and wonderful Father, our battles are long and hard.  We are under constant attack from the devil and the world.  Keep us strong and fit for battle.  Guide us by your Spirit that we may withstand the arrows that are fired at us.  Be with those who are under attack and bring them through safely.  Use us to help comfort and nourish them, to help them strengthen once again.  Keep us safe within your mighty arms.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret