There is a mentality that exists in parts of the church.
This mentality is best summed up be the song Hold The fort. Nothing wrong with the song as such, it’s just that some folks see the song as reinforcing a siege mentality. One that says we are surrounded round about by the various forces of darkness and we’re under attack, So we must hold onto what we’ve got and if we can hold that to the end, then perhaps we can make it through.
My problem with this mentality is how it doesn’t reflect the church on the move. A church that is about seeing the Kingdom come and the will being done on earth as it is in heaven. A church that sees the great commission and the great commandments as outward working propellers rather than things we do whilst clinging on to the little that we have until Jesus returns.
Nevertheless I can certainly understand why that thinking prevails. After all, we are beset by so many issues from without and within. Cares of this life, lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, pride of life, the prowling enemy like a roaring lion, the allure of Mammon. The growing influence of the secular liberal humanist agenda. The threat of other growing and dominant religions. The weak nature and worse still the grotesque extremes of those who claim to be Christians all paint a picture of a faith under siege.
Today, however, we were reminded of the episode in 1 Samuel 11 where the folks at Jabesh-Gilead were similarly under siege by the Ammonites. Their call for help reaches the ears of the king-elect Saul who takes this as an affront in a similar manner to how his successor would likewise consider the opposition of Goliath to be highly offensive. A really intriguing verse talks about pieces of oxen being sent around Israel with Saul threatening that anyone who failed to show up would see their own ox cut up. Interesting recruitment advert.
As ever in these situations in scripture, as the people of God get together the people of Jabesh-Gilean look forward to their salvation taking place. That is to say whenever we experience times of feeling under siege, God always brings a way of escape.
In the larger scheme of things, likewise, as the Son has set us free – and who the Son sets free is free indeed – then the siege that we’ve experienced all our life can be alleviated as the heavenly host and the truth of the gospel gives the victory. Even better still, we now become a part of a family that will come to our aid in practical ways and in prayer to come and be the supporting force to help us out of the siege.
I appreciate how overwhelming that siege can appear to be. When we’ve dealt with addictions and compromising lifestyles deeply engrained in our behaviour and psyche, despite the truth of the gospel, and the power of His love, there is always that feeling when under pressure, to buckle. There is even the guilt that if we buckle God can never forgive us.
I know those feelings very well. I also know that the Great One still chooses to live inside of us. He still chooses to love us – and not even our failings can separate us from that love. The sacrifice of His Son is not rendered null and void. He doesn’t hand in His notice as our Father because of us. Or because of the things that appear to threaten us. He is greater. His love for us is greater.
It is in the light of this love that we no longer have to live under siege.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 