And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army

The Lord of hosts is His name. He has called us to not fight against flesh and blood but against principalities and the darkness. The book of Joel describes the Day of the Lord: a day of judgment and ruin. It is a day of utter darkness and death…

The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: ~ Joel 2:10

When Christ was crucified, there was another strange phenomena:

And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. ~ Luke 23:44-45

What I found interesting is that each passage shows a battle in the spiritual realm. Luke shows Christ defeating the sin debt and reclaiming the line of Adam through the reconciliation of His shed blood. Joel shows the day when the judgment which was stayed now becomes known to those who rejected the sacrifice of Christ. Everything we see in the physical realm is based on something, minor or major, in the spiritual realm. (The account of Job is an outstanding example.)

We are called to battle the moment we are saved. Life is a journey, yes, but it is also a battle. We are called to fight the good fight and finish the race well (1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7). We are called to put on the armor of God so that we may be able to stand against the tactics of the devil (Ephesians 6:11-13). In Revelation and elsewhere, Christ tells us we have already overcome the world (John 16:33; 1 John 4:4). We have victory through Him. Where are the watchmen of our generation (Ezekiel 22:30)? Where are the brave soldiers of the body of Christ who will go into battle? It is a daily battle between the old and new man (Romans 7:17-21). It is a constant war between the children of God and the slaves of satan (Romans 8:7; James 4:4; 2 Corinthians 6:14). We must remember that satan is a created being and is nowhere on an equal playing field with Christ. Through Him, we have the victory.

We have been called to action. We have been called to war against the powers of darkness in prayer and through the mighty power of Christ. Do not forget the ending: Christ has won and is the final Victor. The battle is already won; be still and see the salvation of the Lord. Look to the hills from whence cometh your help (Psalm 121:1). Your help comes from the Lord (Psalm 121:2). When the battle is arranged and you feel nothing but fear, Christ whispers do not be dismayed for I have overcome the world, open your eyes and see (Joshua 1:9; John 16:33). The angels have camped all around (2 Kings 6:17). Praise brings down the walls of Jericho (Joshua 6). We fight not our own battles but act on the proven plans He has given us. Every temporary defeat is just a time to strengthen the things which remain. The gates of hell cannot prevail against the church (Matthew 16:18). Just as a small mustard seed is planted and becomes a great tree giving shade to all, so is the bride of Christ, the church, and the army of believers conquering throughout all generations and has become so widespread (Luke 13:19).

He goes before us in battle. Those who do not wait for His timing become casualties. The apostasy is rampant. People are dropping from the ranks in swarms when they see the gruesome battlefield of spiritual warfare. He goes to prepare the way. If we step in front of Him, we may become suspects of landmines and EPGs. He is our shield from the bullets of doubt, the arrows of flaming fear, and the missiles of destruction and dissension. Be still in the battle and see those around you. The army of God is still strong. Await for His command before you go to battle prepared and clothed in your armor. Instead, wait for Him to utter His voice. Wait for His precious timing! Your timeline is different and unique to your predicament. The wilderness is between Egypt and the promised land. Do not give up and succumb to unbelief. Face the enemy with five stones in your hand. Not in your power or might but in Christ’s, armed with the grace of justification and standing firm in the face of trials. The Beloved will fight for you. Mary and Martha had to wait for Jesus’ timing and, in doing so, were able to see Lazarus come forth from the grave. Your answer may be delayed, just as Daniel’s was, but your prayers are not denied. Focus on the General giving the commands. Between the Old Testament and the New, there were 400 years of silence until the Lord sent His messenger to the battlefield. Do not sleep while the harvest is ready. The laborers are few. The soldiers are tiring. The battle is growing dim.

Remember the God whom we serve is the same to whom death bows to. He is the firstborn creature of everything and all are subject to His name. The earth shall quake, and the mountains and valleys melt before His presence. The mountain of Sinai will quake and rumble and spew lightning and thunder. But the Lord is with His army. He sends the comforter. He sends His power. We do not go out on our power but in the power of the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:8). We are to share what we know and love others by being unified in His word. We are not to accept the evil but to preserve the good in this world. We are not here to annihilate the other side, but rather to do a rescue mission: the blinded and the POWs are many. The fight is daunting. We must spread the news that the King has arrived. Many are in their cells and do not know their captor has been defeated. Satan is defeated. He is no more. Although he may grasp for souls to take with him, we are there to oppose him through prayer and praise. Praise is what Satan cannot bear. He is the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2), but the Lord is who gives us breath in our lungs. May we use the dominion of the devil for the glory of God. May we not fall or stumble but stand firm in our places. One brick can change a wall. If a stone crumbles, it affects the whole body. The Lord does not bring us into the desert to die but rather to test us for the land of promise. Jesus prunes those whom He wills to be fruitful. Nothing separates us from our Commander (Romans 8:35-39). Nothing separates us from the Lord of hosts. We are His bought and paid for army covered and anointed by the Holy Spirit. Do you fight in your power or the mighty power of the Holy Ghost? When you get knocked down, adjust your crown. You are more than conquerors in the blood of the Lamb. His plans work for good. He knows what He is doing.