What’s your favorite kind of movie? I have always enjoyed good war movies. One of the best ever is the series called Band of Brothers. Created for HBO in 2001, it tells the story of Easy Company in the 101st Airborne Division during World War II.
One especially powerful scene depicts Easy Company’s assault on the French town of Carentan in Normandy. As the company walks up the road toward the town, they come under fire from German machine guns and snipers stationed on rooftops and in windows. The men instinctively duck for cover in the ditches along the road, some yelling, “Take cover!” But the unit commander, Lt. Winters, stands up and begins running back and forth across the road, shouting to his men, “Keep moving!”
“You are sitting ducks!” he warns.
Exposing himself to enemy fire, he knows that if the men don’t get up and charge forward, they will eventually be taken out. One by one, the soldiers rise and press the attack. They successfully eliminate the enemy gun emplacements and liberate Carentan—but they never would have succeeded if they had not run into the fire.
It’s an incredible scene that always leaves me in awe of the bravery of those men.
Spiritual Warfare
The Bible tells us that all of us are soldiers in God’s army. Paul the Apostle instructs his spiritual son Timothy “Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” — 2 Timothy 2:3 (NASB). Scripture also exhorts us to “Fight the good fight of faith,” (1 Timothy 6:12) and “Take up the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:13).
We are in a war, and that war is raging every day of our lives.
There are times when we come under specific attacks from the devil, and those moments can be intense. Like the soldiers of Easy Company, we may be walking through life when, suddenly, the enemy’s machine guns open fire. A bad doctor’s report. A financial loss. A painful conflict. Criticism. Failures. These hardships hit us unexpectedly. Our natural tendency in those moments is to duck for cover and wait it out. But that response is a trap. There is no such thing as “standing still” in the spiritual realm—you are either moving forward or falling back.
Press Forward—No Matter What
When we face challenges, disappointment, and frustration, the last thing we should do is stop, settle in, and dwell on them. If we do, discouragement, bitterness, and unbelief will take over our thinking, causing us to quit or turn aside from God’s calling. Instead, when the enemy attacks, we must heed the words of Lt. Winters:
“Get up! Keep moving!”
God has given you everything you need to overcome.
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” — 2 Corinthians 10:4
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” — Ephesians 6:10-11
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33
“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” — Romans 8:33
“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” — Luke 10:1
Jesus Christ, the Captain of the Host, is your commanding officer today. He is calling you to get up and keep moving forward. Don’t let a little machine gun fire from Satan stop you. You have what it takes to win this fight. Just don’t quit. Use the weapons you have been given:
- Pray in the Spirit.
- Rejoice always.
- Give thanks in all things.
- Speak the Word.
- Forgive, love, and BELIEVE!
God bless you today. I hope this message encourages you. If you need a fellow soldier to stand with you in prayer, call us at 719-357-8895, and we will be honored to agree with you in prayer.
