May 31, 2009
Background Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18
Devotional Reading: Luke 11:14-23

I once knew a family who had been lifelong church members. But when the family matriarch died, they grew irate, loudly condemning God for His audacity in taking their mother.

I’m not sure they ever darkened the door of a church again. I have since wondered why and how their church failed to prepare them for this experience.

I’ve said it before and I don’t mind saying it again and again: Following Jesus Christ does not guarantee that we will be spared trials and tribulations, but that we will have access to resources enabling us to be victorious over all tribulations.

Although many of us protest that we understand and accept that statement, when conflicts and testing confront us, our first – and sometimes lasting – reaction is often to complain that God is not holding up His end of the bargain.

The passive form of that complaint avoids confronting God himself, but wonders out loud “how can this be happening to me?”

Actually, living as a disciple of Jesus Christ may even increase our chances of experiencing tragedy, sorrow and injustice. We must never forget that Jesus ended his earthly life on a cruel cross and his invitation to those who would follow him was “let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Mk. 8:34; Mt. 16:24; Lk. 9:23).

Be prepared

Unfortunately, after a tragic conflict it is much more difficult to teach this message. Except for the “Be Prepared” emphasis of the Boy Scouts, for most of my life society has focused primarily at the post-event level. But there is an increasing emphasis to prepare us to either prevent these crises or to know in advance what to do if they occur.

In an airplane, before takeoff, we are talked through a list of possible emergencies. Preventive medicine is increasingly available. We are advised “What to do in case of a stroke,” “How to help someone choking on food,” and “In case of a tornado, know in advance where to hide.”

So, why not learn how to prepare for surviving our crosses?
Although its advice is primarily general rather than specific, Ephesians helps us to prepare in advance any challenges to our faith. First, the attitude from which we are to react: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God to stand against the wiles of the devil” (6:10, 11).

We are assured that the strength we need comes from the Lord; we do not struggle alone. And, “For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness …” So the crosses that come our way are part of a worldwide conflict between God and the forces of evil.

Behind the cross

In his novel, Don Quixote, Cervantes says: “Behind the cross there’s the devil.” And whether or not we believe in Satan as a demonic being or a fact of human imperfection, we need to see our trial as part of a cosmic struggle that God will win – and we can win with Him, if we put ourselves in His hands.

These texts have often been used to justify secular brutality and wars of aggression. But that means skipping over: “having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace” (3:15). We cannot be Christians if we continue to believe that we can only achieve peace by militarily conquering those whom we believe threaten it.

We can prepare for the crosses of life, as Ephesians advises, if we forearm ourselves with the whole armor of God: truth, righteousness, peace, salvation, “the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God,” prayer and supplication (3:17,18) – in other words, wholly and holy armed with the spiritual power to be victors, and not victims.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Rev. Althouse may write to him in care of this publication.