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Principles of War: Communication, part 3 of 3

 


It is mandatory in the war with Satan that we have daily communication with our source of supply. We must receive from the Lord via the Word enough for all of the day’s needs, and we must store up provisions of the Word of God in our hearts and heads for any future time when we have a prolonged engagement with Satan.

Daily time with the Lord is far more than our line of communication for the battle. Fellowship with him is really our objective. We were created and redeemed to walk with God. In fact, this is the reason why we are engaged in war, so that others may be brought into fellowship with him. “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you [proclaim also to you], that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 Jn. 1:3).

Our lines of communication can be overextended as well as cut. In Korea it seemed more important to implement the principle of pursuit than to keep in touch with supplies; this would have been right if the Chinese Communists had not entered the war. It may seem more important to be out witnessing or attending meetings than it is to spend time with our source of supply, the Lord Jesus Christ. These activities are legitimate means of combating the enemy, but they cease to be effective when we run out of spiritual power. Scripture and sound military principles warn us that decisive defeat may be the end result. If we are fortunate, friends may be standing by to help us evacuate and keep us from defeat.

In Luke 10:38–42 is a story that illustrates this principle: “But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.’”

Notice this: Martha was not far from the Lord, nor was He far from her. The line of communication was short, but she had still overextended herself. She had received nothing. She was too busy serving to receive: if we are too busy to spend time with the Lord, then we are too busy.

We are never far from him. The Second World War extended lines halfway around the world; we have not such a problem in distance, for He said, “I am with you always” (Mt. 28:20). We can pray to Him at any time and place. We can receive from Him through His Word all the supplies, strength, and wisdom needed for daily combat. It is not the length of our lines of communication that is important—just the use of them!

 Use your line of communication by joining the To the Word Bible Reading Challenge here. 

*Excerpted from Principles of War. To purchase, visit ccmbooks.org/bookstore.

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