Author: David Dennis

                                          The Battle doesn’t need us,

                                             but we need the Battle.  

                                                                Lorne Sanny

     There is no place in Scripture that illustrates the truth of Lorne’s words more than those which are found in II Samuel 11:1-4.  “In the spring, at the time when Kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army.  They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah.  But David remained in Jerusalem.  One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace.  From the roof he saw a  woman bathing.  The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her.  The man said, ‘Isn’t this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite?’  Then David sent messengers to get her.  She came to him and he slept with her.”  Because of this sin the sword never left David’s house.  David’s place was in the battle, not wandering around at night on the roof of his palace.  Involvement in the battle would have prevented succumbing to the attacks of the world, the flesh and the evil one.  The very activity and involvement in the work of the Lord acts as a barrier to sin in our lives.  Leroy Eims asks the question, “When is the last time you were tempted to sin while you were talking to someone about Christ?, or when you were praying with another individual whom you were discipling?”  It does not occur when we are on our knees in prayer for others.  When we are actively serving the Lord in His ministry to others our thoughts and hearts are aligned with His will, and less vulnerable to the world, the flesh and the evil one.  The battle may not need us, but we need the battle.

     We not only need the battle as a guard for our lives, we also need it to prevent the only alternative to the battle, which is a life involved in civilian affairs.  Our walk with Christ is likened to warfare in II Timothy 2:3-4.  “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs-he wants to please his commanding officer.”  What does a life look like that is involved in civilian affairs?  It is a life that adapts and blends into the world around us.  Rather than being “transformed” (Romans 12:2) it “conforms” to the culture.  It is a life that no longer holds forth salt and light, but loses any distinctive features of a follower of Christ.  Others looking at such a life might regard it as a “moral” life but there are no hallmarks that would point others to Christ in their life.  They are accepted by the world because they have become one with the world.  The battle is but a dim memory.  They may give it some thought from time to time, but “civilian affairs” occupy their thinking, such as “what shall we eat,” or “what shall we drink,” or “what shall we wear?”  (Matthew 6:31)  A life with these concerns has fallen in love with the world.  It is a life characterized by “Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica.”  II Timothy 4:10.  The battle didn’t need Demas, but Demas needed the battle.  

     There is yet a third reason that we need the battle. Our entire being, spirit, soul, and body was made for activity and for a meaningful purpose that outlives us.  Furthermore, we are creatures who are in the process of being prepared for our eternal purpose.  Our life here, James tells us, is but a breath.  We were designed for meaningful work and activity in the countless ages of eternity that stretch before us.  It is in concert with the Lord and in His work that His Spirit develops and performs that in our lives which is needed for our eternal work.  This journey begins with denial of self and taking up our cross (Luke 9:23), and continues with following Him. (Matthew 4:19)   It is in the battle that we are hardened and made fit for our eternal roles.  It is in submission to His throne that His work is perfected in our lives. 

     Someone may say, like David, I have forsaken the battle and became involved in sin.  Other, like Demas, may look back on a past which consists of worldly pursuits.  Still others may look at their lives and realize that God’s design for their lives has not taken place because of a failure to be involved with Him in His battle as His disciple.  In all of these, there is the sense of the vessel being marred by the the lack of submission to the Potter’s hand.  If that is our story then we need to consider the following words from a sermon given by G. Campbell Morgan.  Westminster Pulpit.  1954-55  Volume 1. Pages 56-57.  

     “They bought the potter’s field with the price of Him Whom they priced, and they called it, little thinking how deep the significance of their calling might be, the field of blood.  Are there some wrecks in the potter’s field in this house tonight, men and women who are saying, I have been spoiled and flung away. I am waste in God’s universe.  The potter’s field has been purchased with blood.  I come back to Jeremiah, and I read that when the vessel was marred in the hands of the potter he made it again another vessel.  

Blessed be God, He came to the potter’s field, and He gathered up the wrecks to make them again.  There is another chance for you, my brother.  By the mystery of His betrayal, by the mystery of His denial, by the mystery of His being sold for the price of a slave, the potter’s field is bought, and though you have missed your purpose by disobeying your principle, the Person, the Potter Himself, has come down to the midst of the wreckage, and by the price of His own mysterious life has bought it, and the wreck can be remade. But you must begin with the Person and submit to the principle, and find the purpose.”  In His Infinite Grace, there is yet a battle in which He would have you join with Him in His Work.  The battle may not need you, but you need the battle.  

In Christ,  Richard Spann      

   

                             Men of Issachar, who understood the times

                                    and knew what Israel should do-

                                                                      I Chronicles 12:32

     These men of Issachar were among those who came to David at Hebron to turn Saul’s kingdom over to him. (I Chronicles 12:23)  They were a distinct and remarkable group of men.  They not only possessed knowledge but also had the wisdom to apply that knowledge to accomplish the task at hand.  Every generation requires its men of Issachar.  From the prophets of the Old Testament these men extended into  the New with the presence of John the Baptist, followed by the Apostles and the early church fathers such as Athanasius and St. Augustine.  More recent history has endowed us with Martin Luther, George Whitfield, John Brainerd, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and many others.  They all understood their times and knew what they should do.  Our culture, likewise, has continued to change requiring men of Issachar in our time as well.  In our own lifetimes we have seen people groups classified and then reclassified the following decade!  The labels that were used began with Baby Boomers, followed by Baby Busters, Generation X, Generation Y, and more recently the Millennials.  Who knows what description will come next?  A recent study of those in their twenties revealed the following information.  Most declared that they didn’t want to go to meetings or be required to “join something.”  They were, as a whole, looking to be resourced (equipped) rather than to be plugged in somewhere.  Some wanted to discover their own methodology.  An over arching theme was the desire for relationships rather than structure.   

     With all the changes occurring in our culture, then, the perpetual question arises “How will we raise up a new generation of laborers for Christ?”  The Lord Himself answers this question.  “Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”  (Matthew 13:52)  What old treasures in our storeroom should we utilize, then, as we approach others in our culture?  Three come to mind.  The first of these is found in Psalm 33:11.  “The counsel of the Lord standeth forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.” (KJV)  The word of God is timeless. It is His perpetual method of instruction and agent of transformation in our lives despite changes in any culture or any country.  It is the sword of the Spirit and He will use that sword regardless of varying opinions about the authenticity or validity of the Scriptures.  

     The second treasure is found in Philippians 2:5-8.  “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus; Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross!”   At least three themes are apparent in this passage.  These are the need to identify with others, serve them, and be involved, if necessary, at cost to yourself.  People are hungry for genuine relationships.  They do not find these on Twitter, Facebook, or in Chat rooms.  It requires an investment of time, energy and even financial cost to engage with others at a level that will produce an impact.  Mark 10:45 tells us that the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve.  The passage in Philippians likewise declares that our fundamental relationship with others is to be their servant.  At times, the process of serving others may result in a significant cost of time, energy and financial resources.  It is when the cost is greatest, however, that the result in the lives of others may be most profound.  

     The third treasure which relates to our purpose in the lives of others is found in II Timothy 2:1-2.  “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”  We must have the eyes of faith to see the world through the life of a single individual.  All of our contact and prayers for others must be that which will prepare them for their ministry in the future. 

     A friend related to me some years ago that he was visiting with a business associate who began to relate some concerns and questions about their common profession.  My friend took the time to listen and then asked if he would like to get together to discuss the issues further.  They began to meet and spend time together relating the issues confronting their common pursuit.  This time extended into helping with family concerns, travel together and a friendship was developed.  At some point my friend stated that the most significant answers for his business and family relationships were to be found in the Bible.  His associate was intrigued and although familiar with the Bible, was from a different religious background and had never read it with any regularity.  They began discussing the Bible regularly for some time before starting the thirteen week Navigator study entitled, “Growing In Christ.”  As the weeks progressed the truth of the Gospel became evident to the individual with whom my friend was meeting.  As they continued to meet over the subsequent months, the new believer in Christ became a changed man.  He continued to have a hunger for God’s word and developed a heart to reach others.  I had the privilege of meeting him several years ago.  His comment at that time was “I want to do for others what someone has done for me!”  

     The question arises for us today.  “Where are the men of Issachar in our generation?”  Well, I can state that “I have found one!”  May his tribe increase!  It is my prayer that the “Men of Issachar” will increase and multiply in your ministry, your neighborhoods, your churches and become evident throughout our culture.   

In Christ, Richard Spann