“He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.” Isaiah 59:17 ESV
Reflection: why are we in a war?
It is so easy to lose focus. I mean, lose focus on what actually matters. We are overwhelmed with so much information on a daily basis, as it seems like so many want to get your attention. Get a bit of your time, through your phone, through the television and so on. There are so many events going on locally, domestically and in the world, that it is very hard to keep track. And, perhaps now with the added wars in the Middle East, our attention is drawn there for the time being. Have you noticed that the war in Ukraine is not hardly mentioned anymore? It is still going on. And all the other big topics that took our attention only a few months ago. Not much talked about or discussed. It is like we are pulled from one crisis to the next; war being perhaps the biggest “attention getter” of all. But, as many are now starting to wonder, is it right that we are even involved in this latest war? Or any war, for that matter.
In the focus verse today, we read the Lord also preparing for a battle, for war. But let’s look at what led up to this, to understand what sort of war He is preparing for. We read in the preceding verses “Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter. Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice.” Isaiah 59:14-15 ESV. So, in principle, this is not a kinetic war, but a spiritual war, for truth, for justice, uprightness and righteousness. The enemy is not mentioned specifically, but obviously is everything fighting against God, against truth, justice, etc. And, then we come to a very interesting conclusion by the Lord, a very sad conclusion, actually, as we read
“He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him.” Isaiah 59:16 ESV
The Lord is wondering why no one is willing to stand up for Him, willing to intercede for truth, for justice, etc. No one willing to fight the good fight, the right war against evil. Wow. How soul searching that is for all of us calling ourselves “God’s children”, calling ourselves Christians! What war, what battles are we promoting? Are we more concerned about the fighting of nations far away, than with the wickedness taking over our local governments, businesses, schools and institutions, our local churches, even what evil is trying to enter into our families and living rooms? The war we have is not far away. It is right here, starting within ourselves. The enemy wants us preoccupied with all sorts of things we cannot control, but can bring worry and fear, if we let it. So let’s look at how the Lord takes on this war, this battle.
“He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.” Isaiah 59:17 ESV. Does it sound familiar? Paul wrote extensively about this to the church in Ephesus, as they lived in a highly pagan society. Perhaps we need to remind ourselves of what battle we are in, “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.” Ephesians 6:10-12 ESV.
This is the right war.
So, let’s use the armor and weapons given to us, so we can battle well. “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,”Ephesians 6:13-18 ESV
This is not a war on a physical battlefield. It is not nation against nation. We are fighting a spiritual battle, good against evil, and we are all called to battle. So let’s stay in the right war, the right battle, and not lose focus.
