Saturday, November 4, 2006
Psalm 67:1-2 God be merciful to us and bless us, And cause His face to shine upon us. That Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations.
OFFENSE NOT DEFENSE
As believers in Christ, we take comfort in the word of Christ to His Peter and His followers, "On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). We know that God is our Mighty Fortress and will protect us in our ongoing warfare against Satan.
In the sporting world we regularly hear the expression, "Defense wins championships." It is pointed out that the team that plays better defense will win the game. Do we think that way as Christians? Do we have the mindset, "Defense wins championships?" when it comes to the spiritual battle we fight every day?
The Reformation was not a defensive battle, but offensive. Luther wielded the offensive weapon of the Word to attack the false teaching within the church and to proclaim to his people the riches in Christ Jesus.
We should be defensive of the truth of God's holy Word, but let us also use it as the Sword of the Spirit to attack the gates of hell around us, by proclaiming it to those who sit in the darkness of sin. Lord, may Your will be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. The gates of hell will not stand against the power of His Word!
Luther's hymn "May God bestow on Us His Grace" is a wonderful hymn of praise as we ask the LORD to bless our lives and use us to proclaim His grace to others in the world around us.
May God bestow on us His grace, With blessings rich provide us,
And may the brightness of His face To life eternal guide us
That we His saving health may know, His gracious will and pleasure,
And also to the heathen show Christ's riches without measure
And unto God convert them.
(TLH 500:1)
