For example, I was touched (while reading a new blog this week) about the story of the woman who was caught in adultery and the religious community brought her before Jesus and asked him about the law and whether or not they should stone her to death as the law says. And just the way that Jesus - the Son of God - stood between this hurting, shamed woman and her attackers and saved her life. Giving her hope and a new future. That was the Lord fighting. Kind. Gentle. Loving.
Or the way that when the Israelites were trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh's advancing army. Talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place - death by drowning or death by sword. And what does God do? Pillar of fire. God stood between the hurting, scared (and a bit dense) Israelites to defend them from their attackers, stretched out his hand and parted the waters. The Lord fought for their freedom. And then went on to fight for them time and time again because they just didn't get how much God loved them. That was the Lord fighting. Kind. Gentle. Loving.
And even in my own life. Looking back I see time and time again the Lord fighting for me to be rid of sin. Fighting for me to see how truly loved I am by the Lord Almighty. He was gentle. Relentless. Kind. Loving. My shame could have been exposed. My failures could have been revealed - in all honesty they should have been. But they weren't. And time and time again God worked in my heart and life and I thought I changed. But some habits die harder than others. And when it finally all came to a head and I once and for all faced that dragon and began to destroy it, rid it, from my life I was safe. Protected. Loved.
And even beyond that, the Lord has been fighting for so many years for me to get whole...for there to be real, true healing in my life. The Lord has been so very gentle with me in this area. Relentlessly pouring out blessings into my life through encounters with Him and through people he's brought into my life. The Lord has fought to rid me of fear. Boldly and tenaciously showing Himself to be greater still even in those moments when I could not breathe. Those dark nights of the soul when I thought there was no hope, there my Savior was. Just by Him embracing me, tenderly holding me close He was fighting. Where I rested, He fought by standing between me and the darkness seeking to devour me. He was, has been, and is the pillar of fire in my own life standing between me and the advancing, blood-thirsty army so I, we, could watch God part the waters and walk across into the promised land.
He fights so we can enter fully, boldly into His presence. He fights to bring glory to His name. He fights to teach us how to fight, how to take a stand against the darkness and all the flaming arrows Satan throws at us. And He fights for us because He loves us. Sometimes He fights and all you can do is hit the ground and pray until you see the victory. Sometimes it seems He fights ever so slowly, but when you look back you see all He did and you marvel at His goodness. And He always fights in such a way that empowers, equips and transforms us so we can fight alongside Him in the next battle that comes our way, and to fight alongside Him in support of those around us and their own battles they face.
Where has the Lord fought in your own life? It can often be hard to see, especially when life gets busy and one thing after another comes your way. When you have those moments where you feel beaten to the ground and all you can say as you're gasping for breath is "Lord, help me!" He's right there, beloved. He's already been fighting for you even if you can't see it. Like when Peter was sinking, Jesus was already there, already walking on the water. Already fighting for Peter. Jesus was ready to catch Peter if Peter would just turn to him and ask for his help. In that moment Jesus stood between Peter and the very waters that should have been his death. And what's more, Jesus stood between Peter and his own doubt and fear by showing His supremacy in walking upon the waters.
Whatever battles you're facing, whatever hardships, whatever moments of doubt and fear you are facing today, know that the Lord is already fighting for you. The Lord who fights is loving. Gentle. Kind. (Patiently) patient. Relentless. Tenacious. Tender. Truthful. And victorious. And so much more.
I'll leave you with a time of worship by Darlene Zschech. Blessings!!
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