THE DRAGON YOU FACE

Julie Thixton February 20th, 2019

What do we do when the dragon we face is wild and unrelenting, cunning and deceptive? It just won’t go away. It won’t heal, it won’t subside, it won’t remit, it just won’t let go. It’s fierce tongue of fire keeps reminding us of our frailty, our mortality, mocking our resolve, our faith, and our strength to hold on. It flares its fiery eyes as it encamps in our brain, whispering to us that we are suffering because we’re being judged for some ancient sin that we don’t even remember (neither does God, by the way) and we’re going down in flames. It repeats over and over that God doesn’t love us or we wouldn’t be suffering so. It wickedly asserts that God doesn’t hear us when we cry out. It’s hot breath spews relentless chatter that we’re just one heartbeat away from the grim reaper and our next breath, or our next tomorrow, could be it. Thing is, there is no grim reaper for a child of God, only blessed eternity and rest from a weary campaign of a broken body.

James 4:14 says, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” Though in context, this is a warning of self-centeredness, reminding us that we are not the masters of our tomorrows, yet it is a restful reminder that our lives are in His hands, that we do not have to fear the dragon and its wagging tongue of doubt and condemnation.

Remember when Job was so full of sores that he used a piece of pottery to scrape his boils as he sat in a pile of ashes? So miserable was he, that his wife mocked him for maintaining his integrity as a man of God. She told him to give up, stop believing, just curse God and die. He told her she talked to much and was foolish. “Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” (Job 2:10).Nothing happens in this life that does not pass through the hands of God first. Nothing is hidden from God, He knows every part of it.

So, what do we do with the dragon we face? We put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18); starting with our noggin. Grab that helmet and cram that sucker down as far as it will go, remembering, the salvation that wiped away our every sin and that we are forgiven and free from judgment. Pick up that dusty sword, the Word of God, and let’s tell that Dragon we will not be defeated because God’s word is hidden in our hearts. Strap on the breastplate that covers our hearts with His righteousness, giving us unfettered access to His grace and mercy. Cinch it down like you mean it with a sturdy belt that proclaims the truth of who we are in Him. Polish up the shield, that impenetrable piece of tried and tested steel that deflects the lies that would steal our faith. Finally, put on some shoes; use a shoe horn if you have too but get those puppies on your feet so the peace that passes all understanding will course through your veins with unspeakable joy. “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” (James 1: 2-3).

When we are weak, we are strongest, when we are low, we are at our highest, when we suffer, we are partakers with Christ who was crushed with grief in the Garden of Gethsemane the night He was betrayed. He endured unspeakable suffering on our behalf, for our redemption, so that we can withstand our own suffering because of the hope that is in us. And remember, we are not alone in our suffering. When words fail us, when a prayer can’t be found, when weakness overtakes us, the Holy Spirit is there, making intercession for us with sounds and groans that go beyond mortal words, in pleadings that are in perfect harmony with God’s will. (Romans 8:26-27). As Greg Laurie so eloquently stated in a recent sermon, “Don’t let Satan keep you on a choke chain.” So, don’t let the dragon you face keep you on a choke chain.

“But He knows where I am going. And when He tests me, I will come out as pure as gold. For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed His ways and not turned aside.”(Job 23:10-11). This is one of Job’s responses to his friend, Eliphaz the Temanite (I call him ‘the termite’), who had become a pointy finger with accusations of wickedness towards Job, implying Job’s sin is why he has suffered so much pain and loss. Yes, there are consequences to our actions, and even then, God can turn it into good as we reconcile with Him. But God does not give us cancer, a broken back, arthritis, etc., because we sinned. Just like we tell our little ones not to touch the stove because it’s hot. But they do, and what happens? They get burned. Then they cry, we hold them, we forgive them, we treat them and help them recover. But we don’t heap coals upon their heads to emphasize their disobedience. Often the consequence is enough to bring us to repentance. Now, that doesn’t mean Job didn’t complain and have doubts, just like we may do, but Job proclaimed God’s righteousness, just like we must also do. Remember, God intervened for Job, and He intervenes for us.

So, let’s get armored up. Stand our ground, for we are walking, talking, three-dimensional proclaimers of the Good News of Jesus Christ. We are mighty warriors, fit to fight, fit to win. Did you catch that? Fit to win, and WE WIN!

Let’s stay on God’s path and become pure as gold!

HOPE & HEALTH