In every sustained conflict there is a need for strength to stand in the heat of the battle, and a refuge into which we might retreat for rest, rejuvenation, and renewed marching orders.  In modern warfare, strength might be defined as “fire power,” which today, involves ways and means for launching explosive projectiles in the direction of the enemy.  In days of old, it was physical strength to wield the sword or cast a spear.  The refuge (safe place) would be at least as diverse from one era to the next: a cave, a fort, a battlement, an encampment, an armored personnel carrier, etc.

  The study of warfare involves spellbinding history, and fascinating tales of modern technological advancement, and then their are the soldiers—a limited number of people who dwell under the spacious skies, around the amber waves of grain, the purple mountain’s majesty, and above the fruited plains of America.  But there is a warfare in which every soul is engaged—the battle for truth and right!  The smoke never clears, and the onslaught never slackens on this battle field that spans the minds of all mortals.  At risk are the souls of men, peace among nations, the sustainability of freedom in the physical realm, as well as the spiritual.  It is a battle in which “decent people” fight to defend the things they have chosen to cherish: Good, God, and Country.

  It is in this invisible, but undeniable conflict, that followers of Christ are encouraged to proclaim, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. …The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge (Psalms 46:1-3, 11)”

  As for His strength, He“…is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us (Ephesians 3:20).  And for a refuge, He calls, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)”

  Years ago we had a lady in our church who answered the common greeting, “How are you doing?” with a rather serious, “Better than I deserve.”  While it left the greeter with a “Where do I go from here?” sort of feeling, I learned to appreciate her intention.  It was true; I certainly had done nothing to merit the multitude of little things that made even a mundane life, something for which to give thanks.  And it was not just the necessary provisions that warranted my thanksgiving, but the many hurts and hardships that I had been spared, as well.  God is certainly good to me—better than I deserve.

  The Bible has words for these treasures:  Receiving blessings that we do not deserve is called “Grace.”  Not facing the harsh consequences that our deeds so justly deserve, is called Mercy.”  God is responsible for both, and often throws in an unexplainable “Peace” for good measure.

  His peace is freedom from disturbance of mind, even when circumstances dictate otherwise. “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7).”  Peace with God, and the peace of God, is what makes a good day good.

  God’s mercy is experienced when we do something death defying and don’t get killed, or when we are lazy and still have food to eat, and money to pay the bills.  If it were not for God’s mercy, none of us would be here today.  “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23).”

  His grace, though especially evident in the lives of those who know Him personally, is experienced, to some degree, by every human being—common grace.  e.g. The sun rises every day, it rains on our crops, we have pure water, our hearts beat steadily for decades, etc.  But without a doubt, the greatest evidence of God’s grace is Jesus Christ, who died to pay the penalty for our sins. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, (Titus 2:11).”  God’s grace will save all who trust in Jesus for forgiveness!

 Horrid thoughts of the human body being violated by knife or sword in incidents of crime or war, can quickly become dreadfully unsettling, but have you ever heard the term “going under the knife” to describe someone who is having surgery?  I have read in awe of the surgeon’s scalpel being used to skillfully and carefully glide through the epidermis, the dermis, the hypodermis, and finally the deepest muscles and sinew, to expose bones or organs in regions of the body otherwise unseen.  Even here I find it necessary to remind myself that surgery is intended to help the patient.

  There is an interesting verse in the Bible that, in spite of its intimations of carnage, is intended to remind us of helpful, though invasive, surgery.  “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)” 

  The Word of God is alive—endued with the power of God, and like a two edged sword, is capable of penetrating to the deep recesses of our being, getting to the root of a problem, extracting that which is only harmful, to bolster that which is only good.  This incision is not physical, it is surgery on the soul (the psyche, that which animates the body), and the spirit (the eternal part of man that relates to God).  …and the Surgeon’s task is to correct how we think, and adjust our deeply rooted, but sometimes ill advised, motives.

  Let it suffice to say that the Word of God, the Bible, can affect or repair every aspect of your non-physical, non-material life.  The apostle Paul reminds us that, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2Timothy 3:16)”  But so many have ignored their great spiritual need, and have shunned the only serious help for their ailing souls.  They limp along through life, in terror of going “under the knife,” even though it rests in the hand of our skillful, loving, Great Physician, Jesus Christ.

  In Matthew 13, Jesus told the parable of a sower who sowed his seed in four types of soil.  As in all of the parables, the story is intended to illustrate some spiritual truth.  In this story, the “soils” represent the conditions of men’s hearts before they receive the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is represented in the parable by the “seed.”  The first soil is described as “wayside soil” which represents a heart that has not been prepared to receive God’s gospel seed.  In this context, “prepared” has to do with one’s making himself mentally ready to respond to the the gospel, similar to the way a farmer gets his soil ready before planting, so that the earth will respond properly to the seed being tucked under its soil.

  Preparation of your heart involves three things:  First you must recognize that you have offended a Holy God by breaking His moral laws.  Secondly, you must understand that you have no capacity for reparation; there is nothing that you can do to save yourself from the condemnation your sin deserves.  Thirdly, you must long to be restored to God, and recognize Him as God in your life; you must desire His forgiveness, and His provision for victory over the penalty, power and presence of sin in your life.  This is called Repentance.  So many have bypassed repentance and now look to some experience (e.g. baptism, communion, church attendance or a sinner’s prayer) that they believe has secured God’s favor—but salvation is not produced by these.

  Only the repentant heart is ready to receive and respond to the seed—God’s “Good News,” the gospel!  i.e. God offers you forgiveness, but only through the Lord Jesus Christ, who died in your place, to purchase your pardon.  He rose from the dead as victor over your sin, and lives to give you eternal life when, after preparation of heart, you come to Him by faith.  But remember, “…except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:3)

  Many believe that time may be short, and while no man knows the day or hour that our window of opportunity will close, certainly you must agree, “…now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2Corinthians 6:2)”

  As a boy, growing up on a farm, I had access to lots of open space.  Occasionally my siblings and I, and perhaps a few friends, would do some target practicing.  It may have been with slingshots, BB guns, bow and arrows, a potato launcher, or some other mechanized projectile flinger.  From some of my early remembrances as a marksman, the term, “You missed it by a mile,” still rings in my ears.  I never was very proficient in arms, but we had a blast—and, I always figured, “by a mile,” was a little exaggerated.

  Though it has nothing to do with target practice, the old saying “You missed it by a mile,” is back in my thoughts again these days.  In the Greek lexicon (dictionary), one of the nuances of the word “sin” is, “to miss the mark.”  In terms of right and wrong, the mark is drawn by God, according to His moral law.  In this relation, the center of the bull’s eye represents the right thing, or doing things right, and everything outside the center represents wrong, or disobedience—sin.  While I am not proud of it, try as I may, I still find myself missing the mark on occasion, but I am thankful that God has promised, “If I confess my sins, he is faithful and just to forgive me my sins, and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. (1John 1:9).”  You see, Jesus died, was buried, and rose from the dead, to afford me divine forgiveness when I miss the mark.  Our God is in the forgiving business—compliments of Jesus Christ.

  Forgiveness is for nations as well.  We Americans have allowed our country to consistently miss the mark; many of our leaders are malicious and self-serving, and have set our nation on a path to destruction, but you and I can make a difference.  The chronicler of Israel once wrote:  “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2Chronicles 7:14)”

  If you and I would be sure to hit the mark (do right), as defined by God, and require it of our elected leaders, perhaps others will join us, and we would become blessable again, as a nation.