November 25, 2024

Do Not Fear the Lion!

The Lord will go forth like a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies.

Isaiah 42:13

At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, General George Washington instructed his troops: 

“The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army. Our cruel and unrelenting enemy leaves us only the choice of brave resistance or the most abject submission. We have, therefore, to resolve to conquer or die” (italics mine).(1) 

A warrior’s spirit was essential in order to win America’s freedom. This kind of warrior’s heart is also necessary spiritually. The Kingdom of God is full of paradoxes - seeming contradictions - this being one of them: though called to possess the quality of love more than any other, even to the point of laying down our lives (1 Corinthians 13), and to pursue peace with all men (Hebrews 12:14), we believers are also called to war spiritually (Ephesians 6:12-20). 

We must war against the kingdom and powers of darkness, false ideologies, and the strategies behind both. Also, though “we wrestle not against flesh and blood“ (Ephesians 6:12 KJV), we must boldly oppose laws, ideologies, and spiritual forces that war against Christ’s cause. 

Old Testament Warriors

In the Old Testament, God gives us examples of warrior hearts. They are our examples, not because we are called to force His will on people, but in order for their internal traits to be applied to our lives and spiritual battles. David was one such warrior. This brave fighter killed a lion and a bear to protect his father’s sheep and was ever ready to fight the enemies of God when they attempted to destroy Israel. David possessed such a strong warrior's heart that he actually ran to face Goliath! (See 1 Samuel 17:48.)

Then there was Benaiah, one of David’s “mighty men” (1 Chronicles 11:22-24). Like David, this heroic and bold warrior also killed a lion. It seems the marauding cat was threatening a village in Israel, which motivated the villagers to set a trap by digging a pit and baiting the lion into it. OK, so now what? How would they deal with the lion? Cage it and move it to another region? Kill it using spears, arrows, even stones? Several options were possible - none of which included jumping into the pit!

Then, there are the Benaiahs of the world.

For some reason, inexplicable except to a warrior’s heart, Benaiah didn’t want to kill the lion from above. Out of my way, he shouted. Before anyone could stop him, Benaiah jumped into the pit - “on a snowy day,” Scripture adds for good measure - and killed the lion (see 2 Samuel 23:20).

Warrior? I believe so.

Benaiah once killed “a man of great stature five cubits tall [seven and one-half feet]. Now in the Egyptian’s hand was a spear like a weaver's beam, but he went down to him with a club and snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear” (1 Chronicles 11:23).

Warrior times two!

Warriors Reproduce Warriors

Incidentally, from whom do you think Benaiah acquired his warrior nature? He was obviously inspired by the heart of his leader David, who also killed a lion and a giant. Warriors reproduce warriors. I’m praying God will raise up a generation of spiritual Davids and Benaiahs that will challenge satan, the roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8), who is devouring many in our day.

Eleazer was another David-inspired warrior. “He arose and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary and clung to the sword, and the Lord brought about a great victory that day” (2 Samuel 23:10). What determination! In defending the nation of Israel, Eleazer fought through his weariness; and when he no longer possessed the necessary strength in his hand to hold the sword, he held on with his heart! When the battle was over, his comrades waded through the bodies and peeled Eleazer’s hand from his sword!

Warrior!

We Need Warriors Today

How does this warrior spirit translate into action today against the spiritual giants of our land? Obviously, it begins with prayer - spiritual warfare. But there is more. Standing for truth through speaking up, voting out of office individuals with unbiblical and unwise ideals, giving to righteous causes, speaking out against all that opposes the rule of God - all are ways by which we war. To turn America back to the ancient path, we must tenaciously resist evil and tyranny, let our voices be heard, and pray until revival is seen in our land. Can we really see a reformation of America? Absolutely! If pioneer warriors with hearts like David, Benaiah, and Eleazer arise, with a determination to find and walk the old road, we can transform America.

America is filled with spiritual pacifists. I am asking God to instead raise up spiritual warriors in our nation. We desperately need men and women with hearts strong enough to face whatever firepower satan and his allies can throw at them and, in spite of it all, turn this nation back to Christ.

We need 21st-century burning-heart revivalists in the mold of John and Charles Wesley. We are desperate for Jonathan Edwards’ level anointings, causing such Holy Spirit unction that sinners cry out for forgiveness and salvation. We must have modern-day Finneys whose preaching births such conviction that men run to altars weeping and mourning. And Peter Cartwrights - Circuit Riders - who will brave wilderness paths and freezing winters on horseback to preach the gospel. We desperately need “praying Hydes,” Rees Howells and Jeremiah Lanphiers, who will shape history and birth awakenings in regions of the earth through prayer.

Perhaps you were never taught about these heroes of the faith and are wondering who some of them are. That is part of the problem. America’s heroes today are athletes, movie stars, and singers. Many are good people, but heroes? I don’t think so. And frankly, some are not good. Many Americans emulate losers - perverts, adulterers, foul-mouthed rebels, irresponsible fathers, and lying politicians. May God give us holy, selfless warriors who will fight for truth and honor. May He raise up and mantle a generation that does not fear the lion!

Pray with me:

Father, in Your Word, You use battlefield terms like wrestle, warfare, fight, and soldier to describe our spiritual activities. Even though Christ defeated our enemy and took from him his authority, it is still our responsibility to enforce that victory on the earth. We must use Your name, Your power, and the sword of the Spirit to bind and loose, open and close. We are Your Ekklesia on the earth.

We pray that warrior hearts will be found and awakened in Your church, and that people of faith and passion who run to face today’s Goliaths will be raised up. Give us Davids, Benaiahs, and Eleazars. May we fight until our hands cleave to the sword, holding on with impassioned hearts that refuse to yield to demonic forces. May the zeal of the Lord of Hosts consume us!

We ask for this in faith; and in the name of Jesus, we believe it is done! Amen.

Our decree:

We decree that a fresh generation of spiritual warriors is arising on the earth who will enforce the victory of Calvary throughout the world.

Click on the link below to watch the full video.

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1. Coffey, William T., editor. Patriot Hearts: An Anthology of American Patriotism. Purple Mountain, 2000. p. 118.