And when we invite people to come to God's Table for ministry, where He "has prepared a table for them in the midst of their enemies" (Psalm 23), we know we are about to engage in a spiritual battle for the freedom of the Beloved, who, usually out of desperation, is turning to us because everything else they've tried [including their church] has failed. They just want to be free of the torment, and we offer them God's Table of Mercy and Grace -- but also tell them they will have to fight to keep their freedom, and it is worth the battle! And in this post, I hope to share the different aspects of spiritual warfare. Our God is so good to offer us His rest as well as His power!
Mark and I accepted our mission in total faith and trust, but soon discovered that there are Christians who doubt that the faithful are destined for spiritual warfare. They will acknowledge that Satan can attack us, but believe we are simply to pray to Jesus to do the battling. But, in fact, the Apostle Paul makes it very clear in Ephesians 6 that spiritual warfare is not only an important reality of the Christian life, but in the Aramaic translation, he tells us in verse 10 that he has saved the most important truths for last. We are to "be supernaturally infused with strength through our life and union with the Lord Jesus. We are to stand victorious with the force [or weapons] of His explosive power flowing in and through us" [my emphasis]. He tells us that we will be fighting hand-to-hand combat, but not against human foes; rather against "the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms. [Furthermore] they are a powerful class of demon-gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in bondage".
That is probably the most difficult concept for those coming to us for ministry to understand. Many times, the Beloved is so beaten down by the Enemy's oppression that they never even considered that they could fight back. Too often, they have relied on their prayers to move the heart of Jesus to come defend them. Or they believe the religious doctrine that we are to "rejoice in our sufferings" because it helps us to identify with Christ's sufferings. That in itself is not wrong, but there's additional depth to the interpretation. We need to be able to see that our sufferings come from different sources -- our sin, someone's sin against us, and God's appointment to suffering.
Let me comment further on that last statement. Suffering is the result of an action -- either we suffer the consequences of choosing sin over righteousness; we suffer the ramifications of someone else choosing to sin against us; or God chooses to give permission for us to suffer because He knows the result will be His glory. [Think of Job]! Yes, we can rejoice in our suffering, knowing that it produces endurance, character, and hope. But I am also reminded of a position stated by F.B. Meyer, a 19th Century evangelist, who said, "Everyone cannot be trusted with suffering. All could not stand the fiery ordeal. They would speak rashly and complainingly. So the Master has to select with careful scrutiny the branches which can stand the knife"... and therefore bring the honor and glory that Christ deserves.
So, when we minister at God's Table, which is made available to the Beloved for his or her freedom from demonic torment, we make it very plain that they will not only encounter God's love, mercy and grace, but also experience the authority of God to not only set them free, but elevate them to their position in the Kingdom, and exhibiting His power to defeat the Enemy in their lives. And it is important to understand that spiritual warfare is both offensive and defensive! There will be times when we suit up for battle [always under the supervision of the Lord]; and there will be times when we wage war from a place of dominion. And that place is at God's Table, where both power and grace can be found.
I believe you will agree with me that Psalms 23 is one of the most comforting passages in the Bible. It is the ultimate testimony from a young sheep herder who would become King, that we are not alone in this world and do not have to face the dangers of living behind enemy lines without Someone who provides for us and protects us. The Psalm declares that the Lord is our Best Friend and our Shepherd. His love offers us a resting place and an oasis of peace. This oasis provides a place where our lives can be restored and revived; where He opens pathways to the joy of the Lord, which becomes our strength and our pathway to increasing righteousness. [NOTE: It is a common trait for sheep on the hillsides of Israel to circle their way up higher. They eventually form a path that keeps leading them higher. This is what David is referring to here. Each step we take following our Shepherd will lead us higher, even though it may seem we are going in circles].
Then there is that valley of the shadow of death verse that speaks of fear and deep darkness of soul and spirit. But then David reminds us that we don't have to fear death or darkness because our Shepherd is right there with us with His rod and staff to give us comfort and security. It's all about recognizing that the Shepherd uses His rod not only to prod us forward [to look at the future of what the Kingdom government will do on the earth], but to exercise his power, authority, discipline and defense of His sheep. His staff is used when the sheep lag behind [a picture of us looking back instead of focusing on our purpose in the Kingdom going forward]. The devil wants us to focus on the valley of the shadow of death because it is his ultimate weapon to get us to engage with him at his level (darkness and chaos).
But what is God's counter move? He prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies! That's right! We don't suit up in our armor and ride forward into battle with an army of warring angels -- we sit down at the Lord's table and feast on the testimony of what His Kingdom has established... and right under the nose of the god of this world!
When you feel surrounded with the demonic armies of the devil, and chaos is reigning in your life, instead of gearing up for a strenuous battle, try this instead: ask the Lord to prepare His table for you right in front [and in the midst] of your enemies. Then have a seat at the table and have a celebratory feast of the goodness of God in your life. And the devil can't do a thing about it! Because when you are seated at God's Table, you are under His Banner of Love. The Enemy knows that you are seated under a covering of the Government of God and if he touches you, that Government is going to reach out and touch him!
One of the most profound elements of this kind of warfare strategy is that God's Table is not simply a PLACE of war, but an ACT of war! It's about the influence and position I have as a Daughter of the King in the midst of Satan's evil chaos and darkness. As I engage in feasting at the Table [and in the midst of the Enemy's sphere], he can no longer stand there. I am building a platform to become the footstool for God to step down and manifest His Presence there. I am bringing my testimony of God's goodness in my life and His Government to the Table. As I feast and celebrate, it cultivates an atmosphere that brings in a different realm; God's Light begins to permeate the dark. It's as if a magnetic environment is created, drawing God's footstool to the Table, so He can step down into my situation.
Can you see the difference in this kind of strategy of warfare? My focus is not on the Enemy but on the Table of God. I don't always need to bind demonic spirits in the Name of Jesus, but can also ask my Heavenly Father to bring His Banquet Table and place it in the midst of that territory where I am being attacked. I need to be cognizant that this is not my table, and it doesn't need me to protect it. It is God's Banner that comes over His Table [which is me]. My role is to visit the Table and celebrate at it! If I must do battle, I can engage the Enemy from the Table --- after I've feasted on God's goodness!
The ultimate message of this type of warfare is that we need to return to that Table time and time and time again. We need to engage with the joy and peace of God at His Table. That encounter at the Table changes the atmosphere by changing the frequency of Light in our body, and this along with the harmony we share with God will destroy the darkness of the Enemy.
Feasting at God's Table brings you into alignment with the desires of His heart. Sometimes it's all out war, but in other instances, we can battle from a spirit of gratitude. Ultimately, God desires that we live in victory over everything in our lives. And when we feast on His Goodness and thank Him for all He's done in our life and throughout history, we are filled to overflowing with His joy and His peace and His Holy Spirit. And one day, when our days are finished here on this earth, we will return to dine with Him in His House forever. And I can only imagine the banquet hall in Heaven where I will celebrate my victory and feast upon His glorious Presence for all of eternity!
