A Spiritual Warfare

Spiritual warfare has been waging throughout the ages between God and Satan with man in between. Though God is the guaranteed Winner, Satan seems to win now and then depending on whose side man takes side with. This has been a normal experience of every normal Christian. Therefore, the experience of victory truly depends on taking side with the victorious God in Christ the Victor.

It has always been my prayer and burden that all the young people be consecrated to the Lord Jesus and be gained by Him for Him. In particular, my burden has been that the graduating college students be shepherded to join the two years full-time training. The Lord has faithfully been answering this prayer and the burden of the church since the very beginning of the church life in Gurugram. Even when we had no college students to send to the training, some from other localities would be supported by the church here. In the recent past, the Lord has recovered and shepherded the young ones in the church life to join the training.

The past few weeks, we had experienced an intense battle of fighting for one brother who wanted to join the training. Though he had been shepherded in this direction he had went through a lot of inward struggles. Until the due date, he still was indecisive concerning joining the training. Even when he decided to join the training finally, he faced some huge hurdles, mostly related to himself. I reckoned this as a part of Satan's strategy to stop him from joining the training.

First, he had a serious health issue which was eventually resolved. Then, a relationship issue, which also was resolved after much, thorough, and serious fellowship. Then, his education of not yet graduating fully became another hurdle. Inspite of all theses issues, the Lord’s mercy was bountiful upon him. All these hurdles could either disqualify him or discourage him from joining the training. In fact, the mood was such; join or don't join or postpone.

Meanwhile, the church prayed strongly and I believe, he and his own family also prayed fervently and desperately. The Lord graced him and us to overcome all these hurdles, one at a time. It was an intense spiritual battle indeed. Even while I was in the USA, I had to deal with this matter in fellowship with the brothers concerning his existing relationship with a classmate, and then, his having back papers in his studies, which prompted a switch to short term training. Every obstacle was overcome and finally he was cleared to go after his application form was submitted. After all these, we all thought the matter was done.

However, on the day he went to join the training he was sent back home to our shocking surprise. Then, we had a couple of rounds of urgent, immediate, and impromptu fellowships to deal with the "rejection." Some misunderstandings crept in, the family was very disappointed, some murmurings were heard, and we had to really exercise our spirit to handle the situation. The Lord was gracious. He used this situation to let us know that we were in a spiritual warfare and we should not take the matter lightly, but in prayers and petition with thanksgiving. Finally, the misunderstanding was chalked out, apologies and clarifications were done, and he eventually was bale to join the training.

Oh what a rough ride we had to send one brother to join the training! Despite the hurdles, I worshipped the ways of God. He used theses "afflictions" to temper each one involved in sending him to the training. First, he himself realised that he desperately needed the Lord’s mercy and grace to be able to join the training. Initially, he took it lightly and took things for granted. The Lord adjusted him. His family also took it for granted, so the Lord showed them that they too need to pay the price of sending their son to the training center. And, we brothers also realised that we must always be on the alert and be warfare-ready for any matter in the church or concerning our spiritual life.

The Lord, the Sovereign One, has led all of  us through, step by step, in matters pertaining to His move on the earth. We have learned, and are learning, and will be learning many spiritual lessons. Yes, learning and learning, all for the fulfillment of His divine economy. 

Jesus is Lord! Christ is the Victor!