Friends,

I find myself with a deep longing for rest, as I hear echoed in the lives of so many now. This is not be equated with the spirit of death that is pillaging hearts these days. I don’t know how many of you have ever seen the movie, “The Matrix," but I have become increasingly aware how spiritually confusing, deadening, and blinding our culture waxes. Fitting in now has become like so much cyanide. The choices seem to be surrender to unknown slumber or harsh and frightening realities.

I don’t suppose that I have any more or any less opposition that most Christians that stand upon and speak the Word. I also know that any trials I face as a Believer are not personally exclusive, although I experience them individually. I do know I have often been amazed at the resilience of many in circumstances that were beyond “my” ability to fathom experiencing and puzzled at the surrender of others in what I deemed to be not so bad.

Part of the deep bitterness I think the enemy seeks to sow in each of us is to be wounded, hemorrhaging internally, in our own estimation fighting the good fight and seeking to stand, and to be ignored, overlooked, mistreated, or given a cavalier condolence.  Part of human nature seems to be surprised that others do not know “how we feel” and at the same time to want to run from sorrow, sickness, fear, or failure in others.

Pain and sorrow are as individually known and felt as pleasure and joy, and only God really knows the depths of each. Even knowing the Word, I have spend much of my Christian life “feeling blessed” or “feeling cursed” by the circumstances of life.

I watched a special on Hiroshima and Nagasaki—this was a very objective report, some of the things that I found heartbreaking were that the American military had no real idea what the destruction would be, and assumed civilians would seek shelter when the plane flew over.  The other irony I found in this was that the people of Hiroshima did not feel threatened by the plane and actually stood watching the descending cylinder—it was a beautiful, clear, warm day, and the busy Japanese felt no alarm and even thought the large plane and bomb canister were interesting.  The lone plane did not fit the pattern of bomber squadrons.

I have found the devices of the enemy that do the most damage are the ones that seem to pose no threat and that even look interesting. Frontal assaults are seen and known.

This is a time for peace with God, and with our fellow Christians and man, as much as is within us, but not to be taken aback by devices and attacks from sources we would normally not find threatening. Satan is really going for the heart and minds of man to try to cause, even Believers, to abandon God in times of adversity. God’s people are wearing themselves out or hiding to escape the burnout.

I once read a small booklet entitled, “Don’t Blame God!”  There has been a rash of deaths in nearly every church with whom I associate.  Marriages are dissolving, some long-term marriages. Many Christian parents are heartbroken and families scattered. Many are in financial meltdowns, and experiencing oppression that is unprecedented. The list has been relentless and ruthless.

I spoke with a pastor recently whose church members and close friends, a couple in ministry with them, had the unexpected deaths of two adult children within a few weeks of one another. For all practical purposes these grief-stricken parents have left the Faith, at least for now. God heal them and restore them in Jesus Name. May we all be spared such sorrow, but keep our eyes on the Prize.

When I read the Word, I really don’t see any less of a cost for Christians here than I do in  nations in which there is blatant persecution—the works of the enemy are merely more deceptive. In other countries, the devil is a roaring lion who seeks to devour; in America he is an angel of light who seeks to deceive—very quickly that angel of light is growing hair and teeth like a werewolf before us.

At the same time there is a wonderful stirring of the Holy Spirit in some sectors of the Body, and people are coming to the Lord. Jesus is being revealed and hearts are being exposed.  I have been walking in some desert places in my heart recently, and the word that keeps coming to me is “knees”, like get on them and pray. Psalm 27 has been a real part of my Christian life since I first came to the Lord in 1977.

I believe this is a time in which the fallow ground of hearts is either hardening to cement or being plowed for new seed, refreshing rain, and a sweet new harvest.  In the face of each tribulation, it is my plea that each of you do not turn away from Jesus, but turn to Him. Walk close to the Lord and know that His Word endures forever and He does not lie.

May God deliver each of us and our families from every weapon of the enemy, but especially those we think pose no threat, but are deadly. In Jesus Name may He cover your vulnerability, weakness, and nakedness with His Grace and Mercy, and Protection.

Vaughn Clark