Pinned Down On Omaha Beach

I was thinking today about the depiction of the Omaha beach landing in the movie “Saving Private Ryan.” The American troops were so pinned down they could barely return fire. Casualties were piling up all around and it looked for a time that the invasion might actually fail. With body parts and blood flying everywhere, one particular soldier began screaming at the Germans “Give us a (deleted) chance!” It made me think about the church, pinned down by the onslaught of Satan’s devices, crippled by materialism and temptations, torn by schisms and strife, bloodied by media viciousness and the lies of deceitful liberal “scholarship;” commissioned by God to advance His kingdom, but pinned down and seemingly unable to return fire.

It is for such a time as this that the prayer warriors of Jesus Christ are called to engage heaven for power from on high. This battle cannot be fought by carnal weapons, and our best efforts, unaided by the Holy Spirit’s anointing, simply bounce off the fortifications of the enemy. There’s only one way to penetrate the concrete bunkers of hell and put the enemy to flight, and that is focused, prevailing prayer and intercession. Do not believe the lie that because God’s Spirit is in you, that every hastily mumbled “prayer” pitifully squeezed out between hours of entertainment and worldly distractions is sufficient for the crisis. Don’t believe for a second that the cold, callous, obligatory prayers of “duty” will move heaven and bring His will to pass on earth as it is in that place.

It is the heated prayers of desire for God’s honor in this earth; the broken prayers of crucified men and women who are moved by holy hunger to cry out for God’s strength that will bring heaven down and demolish the strongholds of darkness. Praying at all times in the Spirit; continuing steadfast in prayer; praying earnestly until His witness in our soul tells us that our cries have prevailed and His answer is coming. Let’s seek God for a spirit of intercession to arise within His church; for an opening of the doors of opportunity to give ourselves to fasting and prayer; to sovereignly arrange our schedules and our hearts so that prayer becomes the hallmark of our life and family. Let this generation be the generation that knows their God, and lives in His presence, in worship and prayer before His glorious throne. It is then that the gates of hell will not prevail, His kingdom will be unleashed; and His bride will be arrayed in her garments of splendor, awaiting her groom under banners of victory.

Standing In The Presence Of God

When the Lord sent an angel to tell Zacharias that he would be a father, (of John the Baptist)
Zacharias had a hard time believing it, since he and his wife were advanced in years. And in response to Zacharias’ doubt, the angel said these very potent words, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. 20 But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time." Luke 1:19-20

There is such a majesty in his introduction, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God.” I have always thought of that as such a faraway concept, to stand in the very presence of the unveiled glory and grandeur of the living God. And while it will one day be a reality for those who follow Christ, in a sense it is somewhat faraway from our daily existence.

But in another sense, maybe we should ask ourselves “Why?” For after all, God has given His Holy Spirit to those who believe, who are born again by faith in Christ. And His Spirit is able to fill us with all the fullness of Christ if we will seek Him with our whole heart. And therein lies the key. Gabriel stands in the presence of God. But how much time do we spend in His presence? We sing songs in church about yearning to see God’s face. But in order to see someone’s face, we must be looking at them. And I know that I spend far too much time with my back towards God, and my face pressed against the glass of the world’s toy stores and candy shops.

What does God see when He looks at me? Is He acquainted with my face? Or is He offered only my back, while my affections are lavished on the world? What do I see when I look at God? Do I spend enough time to truly meet Him in the Spirit? Or do I leave Him an email to read at His convenience?

Lord help us to long for Your face; for the tender and fatherly wisdom reflected in Your eyes; for the unspeakable joy of knowing Your delight in us by the favor of Your countenance; and to cherish Your fellowship as riches beyond measure.