I Joined another Army

1Peter 5:1-9

I’ve been told that a person shows his age by where his thoughts go to; mine keep going back to my time in the United States Army.  The army spent an enormous amount of time on training.  We were never taught to fear our enemy, but to understand his habits, his ability, his weapons, and his tactics. 

At the age of 27, I joined another army, a vast army, an army that did not send me to boot camp, that had no formal training, and does not wear a uniform that can be seen by those whom you live with and around, but can be seen by angels and demons.  Yes, I joined the Army of Jesus Christ; I joined it by faith and by the grace that God showed me. 

I did not understand all that took place in my life that night in Victoria, Texas, in my hotel room, but that night when Jesus came into my life by faith in what He had done for me, I became part of His vast Army.  Many years later I came across this song by Isaac Watts, “Am I a Soldier of the Cross?”

1.  Am I a soldier of the cross, a follower of the Lamb?  And shall I fear to own His cause, or blush to speak His name?

2.  Must I be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease, while others fought to win the prize, and sailed through bloody seas?

3.  Are there no foes for me to face?  Must I not stem the flood?  Is this vile world a friend to grace, to help me on to God?

4.  Sure I must fight, if I would reign; in crease my courage, Lord; I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain, supported by Thy word.

At 27 years of age I had no clue about what I had joined, no clue and for many years my identity was in the old Bob, in the world, and in fear of both God and man.  Yes, I was afraid to own His cause and often blushed to speak His name outside of the church building.  This song nailed me, but God was kind and gracious to send many men to disciple me and put me under many great teachers and preachers of His holy word.

So today I began reading in 1Peter 5 where Paul exhorting the elders to, “shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.”  I began to reflect back on the Pastors and teachers, the faithful men like Carroll Ray, T W Hunt, Jack Archer, Ken Ryan, Greg Hood and John Davis.  Pastors who made the word come alive to me; Harlan Caton was the first and his life and teaching has shaped me and given me an understanding of my place in this vast Army of Jesus Christ.  I must also mention Larry York a great man of prayer and faith, a pastor whose life is an example of leadership and love for those entrusted to his care.  God is faithful, I need men who are leaders, men who live out the verse above, and my pastor Ray Still is that kind of man.

I believe all the above mentioned have one thing in common; they understand, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”  My prayer is that you are not like me, that at a very early age you understood your role and assignment in the Christian Army, and that you are faithful to your Commander in Chief.

Peter went on to make this statement, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”  We are living in such trying times, what is going to happen to our nation? “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”  But Peter goes on with instructions to the Army of Christ; “Be sober-minded; be watchful.  Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”

Isaac Watts asked the question each of us must ask, “Am I a Soldier of the Cross?”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

http://fromourbackporch.blogspot.com