1 Corinthians 16:13

New International Version

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

For Encouragement

After the Battle of Dunkirk, Britain, though demoralized, displayed remarkable courage and determination in the face of Hitler’s forces’ looming threat. They had left much behind in France but not their resolute spirit. Churchill’s famous and defiant words were a testament to this.

 “We shall defend our Island whatever the cost may be; we shall fight on the beaches; we shall fight in the fields; we shall fight in the streets; we shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender.”

Afterward, Churchill admitted that Britain had little more than her soul of courage at that hour, for they did not even have fifty tanks.

Today, the world is in a spiritual battle that surpasses even the magnitude of Dunkirk. The church is being cruelly devastated, with many believers retreating in denial of the Lord through their actions. We are knee-deep in this struggle, suffering severe casualties.

Look around you and see the war of the nations. Notice the economic devastation everywhere, the political turmoil, and the struggle for national and geographical power. The moral demolition and carnage this war has wrought on the integrity of the church and family is catastrophic.

The church has surrendered on many fronts and losing its identity. Anger, hatred, and bitterness abound to harden the hearts of those the church must minister to. But should we retreat. [We will discuss this in a social commentary on another platform.]

We cannot exaggerate the spiritual realities of these battles. Only the simple-hearted dare do so. The wise will, however, fall back on the word of God for spiritual insight. They will know, like the sons of Issachar (1 Chron. 12:32, 38), that the time has come for them to crown Jesus as king of their whole hearts and not parts of them.

Have you taken your position in resolute faith, dressed in the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18)? Are you fighting with the spiritual weapons and strategy Christ has given us for warfare (2 Cor. 10:3-5)? Are you battle-weary and suffering under the constant barrage of the enemy fire?

Courage, valiant soldier of Christ! You are not losing the battle as you think. Let Churchill’s encouragement to his battle-weary nation cheer you up. With the same goal, Paul encouraged the Corinthian church to “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” as he closed his first letter to them (1 Cor. 16:13). He understood what it takes to live a victorious life in Christ in this turbulent world. But more than that, Jesus’s words in Romans 8:28-39 rise above everything to strengthen your position in Him by the power of the Holy Spirit.

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (31).

“No, in all of these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (37).

So, fight the good fight of faith with courage and integrity, and let His banner of love fly high over you wherever you are and in whatever situation you find yourself.

Pray with Me.

Father, I need your strength in courage and determination, for the battle is heating up, and the enemy tactics are becoming dazzling. None of them are new to you because you have overcome them all for me. Let your spirit hold me up when I fail so that I will always glorify you. In the matchless name of Jesus, Amen!