Not by Sword

D and A are in an unnamed country leading their team to launch movements among students from an unreached people group. They left straight from briefing with others going to that nation and those who went to Russia, Sweden, Slovakia, Chile, et. al.

Earlier this summer while some of you were pulling weeds in a pumpkin patch, D was in a park with Tom Cruise er…Rob and Brian welding foam swords. While they were forcing middle-school kids to be their minions, A was with Ashleigh under the hot sun going door-to-door like a pair of JW’s. D and A both got to talk about Jesus that day. And if the there are to be movements everywhere then the natural conclusion is that there must one day be movements among the future Renaissance festivalites of Fort Collins.

As D and A and all of you lead your teams to ‘conquer’ in His name I am reminded of Psalm 44:1-3:

We have heard with our ears, O God;
our fathers have told us
what you did in their days,
in days long ago.
With your hand you drove out the nations
and planted our fathers;
you crushed the peoples
and made our fathers flourish.
It was not by their sword that they won the land,
nor did their arm bring them victory;
it was your right hand, your arm,
And the light of your face, for you loved them.

As you go out wielding the sword of the Spirit –made not of iron nor foam – to set peoples free - not to make them your minions - be reminded that it is the Lord’s arm and His favor that brings victory.

You could do a word study of his arm and how it often relates to His power to save. My personal favorite passage is Isaiah 40:10-11 where we see that with His right arm He rules with power, He graciously recompenses and He gently tends His flock. God himself brings about salvation where you have gone (or soon will go) by His mighty right arm. It is not our creativity, youthful zeal, tools or skills that bring about transformation – it is Him.

It is also the light of His face - His countenance upon you, His approval, and His favor. The light of His face shines upon you and your team because He loves you and He loves the students of the world. He desires them to know of His glory and fame. It is all in the fullness of His perfect timing and plan. May this be the year!

Lord would this year you look down and have favor on all of the STINT leaders and their teams. Almighty Father, may this year be the year you display your right arm and bring about salvation to the students on every campus where you have sent them and will send them. May you gather your flock in your arms and carry them close to your heart. May you gain victory and your fame be throughout the entire earth!