The battlefield is a scene of constant chaos.  The winner will be the one who controls that chaos, both his own and the enemies.”
–Napoleon

“The authentic Christian minister possesses faith thick as the crust of the earth.  Those scam artists I mentioned were as dust scooting across the surface.”
–John Vermillion

There are again the rumblings of war and destruction.  North Korea and Iran are developing nuclear weapons and now testing the means of delivery.  Russian jets buzz our ships and China is making aggressive gestures.  What are we to do?  Oh me, oh my.
We are being distracted at home by the media and their disparaging agenda.  Whether you realize it or not, there is tremendous conflict taking place.  Depravity will be with us until Jesus comes.  That brings a glaring question, “Whose side are you on”?  It is time to take a stand, especially in the fight against evil for the sake of our family.  It is time to stand between them and the onslaught of the enemy. 
There are a couple of things that are extremely dangerous at this time.  The first is that so many are oblivious to the battle.  They just go on day by day ignoring the sounds and sights of the battle.  Call it compromise, call it complacency, whichever, it is dangerous and the lives and souls of loved ones are at stake.  The second problem is that many of the chosen of Christ have joined the enemy in the battle.  It is time to realize that this world is the enemy of God.  If you don’t believe that then throw away the Scriptures, for it is very plain. 
A.W. Tozer wrote, “We have so degraded our religious tastes that our Christian service is largely exhibitionism.”  Seeing some of the “worship” taking place actually makes me ill.  We reject the Holy Spirit and have pseudo-worship and pseudo-Christianity.  “We resist Him [Holy Spirit], disobey Him, quench Him, and compromise with our hearts….  He has come to comfort.  He has come to teach.  He is the Spirit of instruction.  He has come to bring light for He is the Spirit of light.  He comes to bring purity for He is the Spirit of holiness.  He comes to bring power for He is the Spirit of power.” (Tozer)  And yet…
We better learn how to fight!  It is very interesting that peace will finally come when Jesus mounts His warhorse and takes up His sword and returns to the earth.
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I served in the U.S. Air Force.  On the Great Seal of the Air Force is the symbol of a thunderbolt.  The swift power of a lightning strike.  If you have even been in an electrical storm you should understand the power in a lightning bolt.
It made my attention go to the throne of God.  “And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.” (Revelation 4:5, NASB)  Try to visualize that.  Power!  Light!  A tumultuous sound!  It is an awesome display of the throne.
Then it reminded me that God often uses lightning bolts as one of His weapons.

“And the Lord shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord God shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.”
–Zechariah 9:14 (NASB)

“The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.”
–Psalm 77:18 (NASB)

Talk about an display and then use of power!  Nothing can compare; nothing will be able to stand when the Lord of Hosts takes up arms against His enemies.

Men are qualified for civil liberties in exact proportion to their disposition to put moral chains upon their own appetites.”
–Edmund Burke

“The whole course of life is upset by failure to put God where He belongs.”
–A.W. Tozer

“Violence!  I cry….  Must I forever see this sin and misery all around me?  Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence.  I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight.  The law has become paralyzed and useless, and there is no justice in the courts.  The wicked far outnumber the righteous, and justice is perverted with bribes and trickery.”
My mercy!  Was this on the evening news, or was it the internet?  Perhaps it is from the Old Testament book of Habakkuk (1:2-4, NLT)  The prophet was crying and moaning over the evil that he saw in his day.  There were atrocious things happening and no end in sight.  Where was justice?  He wondered.  Why does God allow this to happen? Then he actually questions God about it.
Ever felt that way, especially in the last few weeks?  Paid demonstrators, violence, a push toward anarchy just because they are spoiled brats.  In the devotion at school on Tuesday one phrase stuck out to me.  “God is observant.”  It may not seem like it in our eyes, but God is watching everything that happens.  He is not far, but near and is adding to the cup of iniquity.  How full must it be?  The prophet asks, and I do as well. 
Are we now seeing the words of Nietzsche being fulfilled?  “Chaos, I glory in chaos.  Out of chaos will arise the supermen (or man).”  The works of antichrist are seen daily on the news.  Yet, we continue to enjoy, seek, and bask in this world system that is so much against the Word of God.  How long?  How long will He allow it to continue?
Those are legitimate queries and questions.  However, more importantly is our reaction to all of the junk and stupidity that is happening.  Look at what the prophet finally says.

      “Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord!  I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.  The Sovereign Lord is my strength!  He will make me as surefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains.” (3:17-19, NLT)

I’m not sure I’m as strong a man as Habakkuk.  Frustration builds up and I know that the Lord is there and He will bring justice.  It is up to me to have faith, to hold on to the Lord and depend on His supreme wisdom.  He knows what He is doing!