The 100 Year War

Politically speaking we are in a conflict that cannot be won with a single battle or campaign.

After the tragic events of 9/11 President Bush addressed congress and said as much. To defeat the radical forces that desire to destroy us and our way of life we need to have the resolve to engage in a long struggle.

I realized two things at that moment. Whether by insight, instinct or even unknowingly speaking prophetically, what President Bush declared was true. But I also realized that it would not be possible for our country to hold our resolve for longer than a season. Politicians are motivated more by their desire for power than by their concern for our country and each dollar spent, each coffin returned and each election cycle would bring pressure against one side by the other in the attempt to retain or reclaim power.

Spiritually speaking we are in a conflict that cannot be won with a single battle or campaign.

We have an unseen enemy that wants to destroy us and he deploys his forces within and without for that purpose. Our current seen enemy, birthed by evil spirits and spread by violence and bloodshed has long term plans and goals and is not deterred by the loss of conflicts or life. We are in a bad position friends and it is only getting worse.

There are certain things that do motivate us as a people to want to fight wickedness. Perhaps it is fear, perhaps it is the lust for revenge or perhaps it is actually the desire of our heart to see an end to all that suffering, pain and death.

But here is our catch 22 if it is the heart that cries out to do something about wickedness. We are a wicked people ourselves. Our efforts will be imperfect because we like our comforts, we adore the rich, we idolize the powerful, the actors and athletics and musicians who entertain us and dull our minds to the reality of what is actually happening in the world. What we should see as black and white becomes a best seller in shades of gray.

To defeat wickedness and the spirit of wickedness we need something more. We need the regeneration of our heart by the shed blood of Jesus and the submission of our body and soul to the truth of His Word. Lastly we need to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in order to live our lives fully and to be part of God's plan to defeat the enemy of our souls and the enemy of this planet.

Here are some thoughts from Psalm 73.

Surely God is good to Israel (or America for our purposes)
To those who are pure in heart!

But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling, my steps had almost slipped.

For I was envious of the arrogant as I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

There are no pains in their death and their body is fat.

They are not in trouble as other men nor are they plagued like mankind.

Therefore pride is their necklace; the garment of violence covers them. Their eyes bulges from fatness; The imaginations of their heart run riot. They mock and wickedly speak of oppression; They speak from on high. They have set their mouth against the heavens and their tongue parades through the earth.

When I pondered to understand this it was troublesome in my sight until I came into the sanctuary of God; Then I perceived their end. Surely you set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. How they are destroyed in a moment!

But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell all of your works.