We often try to not get too “preachy” in our blog, but unfortunately conditions within this great Nation of ours dictates that we stay true to who we are as a Nation, and to Whom we are ultimately accountable. Of late, we have become a nation with an identity crisis. Proponents on both sides of the political aisle claim that “the Lord is on our side”, however each chooses to define who really is their “Lord”. Is it the Creator of the universe, or is it the thirst for power? Is it the Savior who did what any human cannot do, or is it the alluring power of riches and wealth? Maybe each side claims the same “Lord”, but maybe both sides are confused about how they are supported by that “Lord”. How does one determine if the “Lord” is on your side? Is it determined by the outcome of a particular court case? Is it determined by which side won a particular election? Is it even determined by a sports figure making a game-saving basket or touchdown? We have reason to suggest that most “believers” are often confused about “WHOSE SIDE IS THE LORD ON?”
Speaking for ourselves as well, humans are basically an arrogant species. We are too often mostly concerned with our own welfare and security. We have a deep desire for self-preservation and personal advancement. True, there are those few, and sometimes we find ourselves lumped in that category, who put others first and care more for them than ourselves. Unfortunately, there are many who never submit to sacrificial service. For those few, in everything it is always about them. For most of us, when times go south and the road ahead is difficult, only then do we seek refuge in a higher power and ask the question, “WHOSE SIDE IS THE LORD ON?” If we are fortunate enough to emerge safely on the other side of trials, we gladly and proudly claim that the “Lord was on our side.” But was He? We do believe in the power of supplicant prayer, but to assume the result of our trial was because the “Lord was on our side”, may surmise beyond our right to expect the “Lord” jumped across the fence and fought on our behalf. We are not saying that He did not intervene, but what we are saying is that expecting the “Lord” to play on our side of the field is to bring Him under our control and authority. We might be able to make our point a little clearer by looking at an event that happened around 1500BC.
We have recorded history found in the Bible book of Joshua. The “Lord’s” chosen people had fled Egyptian bondage by His power, and because of the insolence of His people, they wandered for years until all the doubters, troublemakers, and arrogant adults had passed away. The new generation, under Joshua’s leadership, were ready to enter the land promised to their father Moses. The formidable city of Jericho was their first obstacle preventing them from occupying their promised land. Joshua went out to the city to survey what it would take to overcome the city and came upon a man standing opposite him with his sword drawn (Joshua 5:13-14). Joshua did not recognize the man as either friend or foe and he asked, “Are you for us or for our adversaries”. Now listen closely to what the representative of the Lord said. He said, “No, rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the Lord.” This apparent representative of the Lord, the same Lord that had fed and clothed them for 40 years in wandering, the same Lord who brought them out of Egypt through the many plaques Pharoah could finally not endure, the same Lord that is faithful to the promises He makes, now, all of a sudden is changing sides? What are we to think of this response?
Have you ever seen a horse pushing a cart? We haven’t either, but sometimes we as humans tend to get the cart before the horse. When we claim that “The Lord is on our side”, we are getting the cart before the horse. As the created beings, when we ask the question, “WHOSE SIDE IS THE LORD ON”, we must be willing to recognize that “The Lord is always on His side!” We must be willing and able to submit to His Will and jump the fence to His side in order to claim His intervention.
We believe that those believers who knew the Lord, or knew of Him and His Message, often prayed fervently for relief from persecution under the reign of Nero, who burned many of those Christians as they hung on his crosses as he drove his chariot through his garden. We believe they prayed fervently to avoid being thrown into the Roman entertainment ring to be killed by lions. We believe they prayed fervently to avoid retribution, persecution, and annihilation. But for those who were killed, there came no relief. Not in this life. We must understand that however this life ends, it has no bearing on eternal life. The Lord did not heal all the sick in His short 33 years on this earth. He did not raise all the dead. He did not end slavery. He did not relieve all the poverty. His reign was not about the temporal existence, but about eternal existence. No matter what state we may find ourselves in, we must always strive “to be on the Lord’s side”, and not expect things to always go our way. For the ways of the Lord are far above our ways.
When we are striving to protect, defend and sustain our FREEDOM and LIBERTY, we must not be so naive as to believe we are always in the right, and even if we are, that it will always turn out in this life to be to our human advantage. Our race we run today is not for a better place in this temporary earthly form, but for a better home following death in this life. Do not mistake what we say to mean we should all simply recline in our comfy chairs and watch the world spin out of control, for we are all here for a purpose, not only to be redeemed from our faults, but to reclaim those around us who are teetering on the edge of unbelief. Yes, we need to continue to pray, but understand we need to put our feet to our prayers. We are His instruments for good, to make our very best efforts to overcome evil. If we are on “THE LORD’S SIDE”, whatever may befall us for good or ill, we will be able to say we did our best, and those that follow us in life will echo this in our heritage.