Thought for the Month - August 2009

"Battlefield…" By Barry Adair

(better go and get your armour)

My daughter plays music around the house whenever she is in residence! Some of the lyrics 'caught my ear' just the other day…

"battlefield, battlefield, battlefield… better go and get your armour, get your armour, get your armour…"

To all those over 30 (I had to ask too!) it is from the track Battlefield sung by Jordin Sparks.

My mind immediately drifted in three ways, all of which I wanted to share here.

The first way was to the present conflict in Afghanistan.

As I write this, in the last 24 hours, ten British soldiers have died in Afghanistan. These deaths take the number of troops killed in Afghanistan (since 2001) to 184 - even higher than the 179 total number of British soldiers killed in Iraq. My heart goes out to the families of those men who have been cut down in their prime. There is also a hint of anger there too. It now emerges that the level of battlefield armour supplied may not be fit for purpose for this type of warfare. There have been reports of British soldiers needing to rely on the Americans for helicopter support. I also read reports that soldiers were buying some of their own personal kit, due to inadequate supplies and costing issues! Surely in this day and age, any soldier fighting for Queen and Country should expect to have access to the best battlefield armour available?

The second way my mind drifted was to Paul's description (in Ephesians 6) of the battle all followers of Christ face in the world today:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armour of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

There are battles raging everyday. As well as the physical conflicts and wars like those in Afghanistan and Iraq, there are spiritual battles raging all around the world. If you are a Christian and are struggling today, then you are certainly not on your own! Read that great passage of equipping ourselves with the armour of God in Ephesians 6:10-18.

And finally, I thought of that great battlefield of good versus evil, the cross at Calvary. In Psalm 22:16, we read:

For dogs have surrounded me; A band of evildoers has encompassed me; They pierced my hands and my feet.

Jesus faced His enemy and came through victorious. Not only that, but we are promised help in time of need. We do not face the battles alone. We have a Comforter and the best battlefield armour is available to us, if we would just put it on!

Are you SURE that you have your place booked in Heaven? Read this if you're not!