Trouble at the Gate
Last spring, a global conference was held with the focus being on encouraging Christians to share the good news of Jesus with the lost. This story of a pastor leading a small church in hostile surroundings was shared.
The pastor sat at his desk in the church, deep in thought and study. Suddenly, a flustered worker burst into the room. “Pastor! There are angry men at the gate demanding to speak with you. What shall I tell them?”
The pastor and his small, faithful congregation were a targeted minority in the area. The simple church building was surrounded by high walls and secured at the entrance by a tall gate. And now there were “visitors” standing on the opposite side of that gate.
“I’ll speak with them,” he told the worker. He paused briefly, inhaled deeply, and began to ask the Lord for Spirit-led words as he walked toward the gate. He resolutely approached the angry group of men, still unsure of what he would say.
As he neared the gate, the men began to shout threats and make hostile gestures. They demanded that the pastor unlock the gate and allow them entrance to the compound. Their words and actions grew more forceful until the pastor feared that they might break the gate from its hinges.
He tried to engage the mob in reasonable dialogue, but his attempts at resolution were shouted down. Still, he continued to speak calmly to them, praying constantly for words that would settle them. He felt cold fear as their assault on the gate ramped up.
Suddenly, he noticed a change in their demeanor. Their actions gradually became less animated and agitated. The volume of their shouting began to lower. Surprised, he kept on speaking, thinking that somehow they had decided to reason with him.
The men at the gate eventually grew still and silent. Then the band of troublemakers slowly dispersed. The pastor was amazed at this, wondering what exact thing he’d said to cause them to turn and go.
He watched the last of the men disappear down the road. Perplexed but relieved, he turned to go back inside the building and literally bumped into his eight muscular bodyguards who had stealthily come to stand behind him.
It wasn’t anything the pastor had said that had sent away the enraged men at the gate. It was the presence of his strong, mighty protectors who had stationed themselves at his defense.
A crowd was emboldened when it faced only a single man, but eight fearless, brawny bodyguards had them rethinking and ultimately abandoning their plans for harm. And the pastor never even realized the bodyguards were there until the last of the would-be intruders was out of sight.
Question for you, friend. Who or what is banging at your gate? What person or thing is threatening you? What fear is hounding you? What sin is taunting you? What is that one thing that’s relentless in its pursuit of your peace?
What are you doing about it?
You can try to reason with, persuade, pacify, bargain with or even tame that person or thing. But the only one who can chase them away and keep them away? It’s not you. It’s the Lord.
While you’re standing at the gate, your Defender comes to stand behind you and overcome your enemies. God your Father is also God Almighty, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. And He doesn’t take kindly to anyone or anything that comes against His children.
The next time you face trouble at the gate, know that the shadow cast from behind you is the shadow of your Warrior King. Ultimately, the battle is the Lord’s, and ultimately, He will be victorious over your enemies.
*****
“For the Lord your God is the One Who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you the victory.” – Deuteronomy 20:4
“…This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this great army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s…You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’” – 2 Chronicles 20:15b, 17
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” – Psalm 20:7
“With God we will gain the victory, and He will trample down our enemies.” – Psalm 108:13
“Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” – Exodus 14:13-14
