Weapons
Zechariah 9:13 Judah is now my weapon, the bow I’ll pull, setting Ephraim as an arrow to the string. I’ll wake up your sons, O Zion, to counter your sons, O Greece. From now on people are my swords.” (The Message)
During the conflict in Korea in the early 1950’s there was a great restriction on the resolve of the US military to actually occupy or gain total victory over North Korea. An advance north beyond a certain point was considered a direct threat on China. What made this a particularly significant consideration was that the Chinese approach to war was to utilize massive numbers of soldiers that could overwhelm just by sheer numbers. Although they might not have the amount or quality of guns, rockets and tanks, their greatest weapon was the soldiers themselves. With little regard for the individual, masses of men would be thrust into battle by officers that were fully aware that most might perish, but victory would be won as a result of lives that had become mere weapons of war. Each Chinese soldier brought with them a projected awareness that there would be many more to follow. Though small individually, they were part of something much greater that would not be defeated in an any normal fashion. A nation of apparent superior conventional weapon strength was forced to give in to the nation of men-weapons.
We are in a conflict with an enemy that is bent on total occupation and annihilation of all opposition members. As his attacks are launched at the full range of our emotional and fleshly vulnerabilities, there is an opportunity to become overwhelmed by the magnitude of what might appear to be strategic superiority. When things begin to be seen as they really are, though, through the field glasses provided by our Superior Commander, there is a realization that ours is a power that will not be overcome by those limited attempts at weaponry. Where satan sends in a flood of accusations, temptations, lies, and oppressions, the Spirit of the Lord raises up what is presented by Him as the far superior and invulnerable shield and weapon- his glory filled child and soldier. Whereas the Chinese may have used precious individuals as mere statistically necessary pawns, God sees each one of His divinely chosen offspring as an empowered, equipped and eternal weapon that will be more than able to pull down strongholds and areas of enemy territorial occupation. When the world was totally lost and without a savior, God didn’t send weapons that would somehow miraculously wreak havoc and win freedom; He sent His weapon of choice, a man- in fact, His very own Son. Defeating satan right on his own turf, Jesus won a victory that would make way for an endless stream of man-soldiers. When He showed up on the scene, He brought with Him a projected awareness that there would be many more to follow.
Today God is wielding His sword and bringing deliverance, freedom and provision to many that are yet lost, sickly, defeated, bound and in great need of a victory over their oppressor. To the field of battle He is sending His weapon of choice, men, to carry the light of His glory in the power of His Spirit and crush the scheming liar, pulling down all of his strongholds. Concepts, methods, disciplines, rehabs, institutions and even churches alone will not bring dominance over the destructive forces. Many times it may be tempting to look around for some other means that would make sense to a reasoning mind, but true deliverance and complete liberation will come through the touch, the voice and the very presence of His precious chosen weapons- His sons and daughters, speaking His Word, imparting His provision and carrying His glory. To each of our areas of need God has a weapon He is sending our way, but also to the needs and strongholds that are infinite around us He is sending none other than you and me. More than able and fully equipped, His purpose and our greatest fulfillment will be realized when we show up to inflict destruction upon the enemy and bring joy, gladness, and freedom to hearts that have been imprisoned for too long.
We are His weapons and through His Son living in and through us, there will be victories won and hearts converted. Where the scene once appeared hopeless and without any resolution, a complete and total turn around is coming to those situations. Prayers, bible study and personal worship will be a part of the attack against the enemy, but the real impact will come as those times are preparation for when we actually arrive on the scene in person, ready to be His voice, His hand, His heart and His weapon.
