The Good Commander

Like it or not, we are in a daily battle. There is a war ever raging, and our hearts and minds are the target. It is important to acknowledge this as a fact. Hiding from or ignoring it does not take you out of the battle. It simply leaves you uninformed and vulnerable. You can be sure the battle still rages on. When in battle, a soldier must know whose orders to follow. Who is it that commands? Who has the oversight and intelligence needed to defeat the enemy? Our commander is amazing. He is powerful. He cares about each one of us. He has equipped us with everything we need. We are never abandoned at the post. He gave His life for each one of us. Trust me, you will be blessed to know Him better. In knowing Him better, you will get to know yourself better.

In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an

inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works 

all things according to the counsel of his will, 

(Ephesians 1:4-11, ESV)

When I think about a military leader, it usually doesn't conjure up pictures of a very kind welcoming man. But notice what things are stated about our Commander. He does things in love. He is full of grace. He lavishes it on us. He has adopted us as His children and given us an inheritance. I love knowing that God is my Father and that He deals with me as a Father would.

God is always fulfilling His will. His will was to unite all things to Christ. God has a very clear will, one that will not be thwarted. He is in command and His plan will come to pass. It is so amazing to know that my Commander knows the outcome of everything. When He gives an order, it comes with full knowledge of the enemy, of God's will, and of me! 

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, 

and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the 

guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:12-14, ESV)

I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
(Ephesians 1:16-23 ESV)

Our God is powerful. He has immeasurable great power and might. We are not talking about a little bit of strength. The God who created all things. This is a God who has the power over life and death. I don't know about you, but that is pretty amazing. He raised Jesus from the dead. He can raise us from the dead. When your Commander can raise the dead, then the battle doesn't seem so scary or intimidating anymore.

So we can confidently say,

“The Lord is my helper;

I will not fear;

what can man do to me?”

(Hebrews 13:6 ESV)

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. 

Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

(Matthew 10:28 ESV)

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:4-10 ESV)

We have a merciful Father. The Merriam Webster's Dictionary defines mercy as: compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power, lenient or compassionate treatment, a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion, and compassionate treatment of those in distress. I am thankful that God is merciful. He gives us everything. We deserve none of it. He is compassionate towards those in distress. Feeling distressed? I have been struggling lately, but the Lord has blessed me even now as I type these words with the knowledge of His compassion and mercy. 

Our God is one of great love. Not just brotherly love, but the unconditional, unchanging, unfading love of God. And He gives it to us freely. My Commander loves me. He loved me even when I was completely without reason to love. Everything He does comes out of that great love. There isn't anything He would ask of me that would not be rooted and grounded in love. Sigh...so good.

He is kind. See that? Immeasurable riches of grace in kindness toward you and I. Does it make you ask why? I know I have been asking that a lot lately. His answer always stays the same, "Because I love you.". These kinds of truths leave me nearly speechless. I am thankful, oh so thankful that my God loves me and is kind toward me. He is so good. It is hard to understand and wrap my little mind around. For now, I choose to bask in His goodness. I really need to spend more time just soaking it up. 

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

(Ephesians 3:14-19 ESV)

Our commander is strong. He is above all, all powerful, all knowing, and always present. This is the God who can strengthen us. He is the one who is behind the "plan". So I ask, why do we seem so weak? I see in myself a lack of faith. I know that I didn't really see God for who He really is. A faulty weak view of God leads to a weak faith and a weak walk.Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." And again to the Thessalonians he writes, "But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one." Who does our strength come from? The Lord of course. That seems like the obvious answer, but do we really get that the God of the universe that is strengthening and establishing us? Nothing we will ever face is a surprise to Him. There is nothing too difficult for our Father to handle. Big truths lead to big changes. That is if they are grasped and applied. Don't let the enemy snatch these away! 

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

(1 Peter 5:6-10 ESV)

and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of 

God in true righteousness and holiness.

(Ephesians 4:24 ESV)

This is a command to us, but it comes with some great information about our Commander. He is righteous and holy. He is a Commander who only does what is good, right, and just. There is nothing evil in Him. His commands will never be marred by biased opinions, personal flaws, sin, or any evil intent. We know that anything He does or asks us to do is based on His righteousness and holiness.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

(Ephesians 4:32 ESV)

This just might be one of my favorite things about my Commander. He is forgiving! He has forgiven me. He continues to forgive me. The meaning of forgiveness has been tainted by our human understanding. Too often we say we have forgiven, but in reality we have only paid lip service. The Webster's Dictionary gave this statement: The original and proper phrase is to forgive the offense, to send it away, to reject it, that is, not to impute it to the offender. This is God's version of forgiveness. He removes the offense from us as far as the east is from the west to remember it no longer. I love knowing that the wrongs I have done in my life will not be brought back up by God. He will not bring up past offenses. He constantly provides a clean slate so to speak. Lord, please help me forgive others with your forgiveness.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. 

(Ephesians 6:10-21 ESV)

Our Commander does not leave us unarmed and vulnerable. I love this passage and the deep meaning that comes from it. There is so much information in these 12 verses! I had no idea how rich this passage was until I dove in and started learning about each piece of equipment, the way the Roman guards used it, and what the deeper spiritual meaning is. We will get there, but for now just know that the Lord has provided you with every weapon and defense necessary. Our choice is whether or not to put them on. God is the best commander. He provides for our every need. He gives us every provision. He offers training and equipment. He gives us the Word so that we can know the plan and the final outcome of the battle! We do not need to be unaware or unprepared. Talk about empowerment!

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.,

(2 Timothy 1:7 ESV)