12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. –Ephesians 6:12
It was around 10:30PM. I was looking up at the sky which was filled with thick, dark clouds. Just the other night, a number of stars dangled from this very sky which now appeared quiet and gloomy. Suddenly, a cool wind blew against my face and into a nearby tuba-tuba tree, shaking its leaves out from their slumber. Then a thought came to me – sometimes things are not what they seem to be.
Right now in the US, the Republican-controlled Congress locks horn with the Democrat-controlled Senate. The topic of dispute is the deficit-reduction plan; the Demo wants to raise the debt ceiling, hence continue to borrow money to pay off debt and finance national growth while the Rep wants to lock the current debt ceiling or at least temporarily raise it and then cut spending. What makes it critical is the fact that both houses should arrive at a resolution before August 2 or else the US government defaults national debt. This is unprecedented, and this is very bad not just for USA, but the entire world as a whole.
As the world watch, glued to the edge of their seats, let me ask this question: Is this just a mere battle of political will between two powerful forces in the US government? Or is this something else?
Sometimes things are not what they seem to be. What we see in the lower and upper house of the US government is not just a mere intellectual or political battle between brilliant lawmakers, but a battle as ancient as the time itself, the battle between good and evil. Yes, it’s a spiritual battle, as well. And it’s not good Republicans versus evil Democrats, and vice versa, either. It’s the innate goodness within men (lawmakers) versus the evil desires planted by the ancient enemy of man, Satan.
Picture this. As the US lawmakers earnestly sought out the best solution for the good of their country, Satan and his demons came to secretly spread seeds of confusion, doubt, fear, mistrust, selfish motives, accusation, etc. among the lawmakers. The Enemy’s objective – create division which will lead to destruction – and from what I saw in the news today, they seem to be winning. Or are they?
This crisis in the American government is not purely intellectual and political in nature, but spiritual as well. It is my belief that what makes the resolution difficult to hammer out is not the lack of brilliance or statesmanship, I believe that these men are the cream of the crop or they won’t be there, but the lack of awareness that they are not only engage in intellectual debate, but in spiritual battle as well. Indeed, this situation calls for unity and prudence, but for this to happen under the current situation, prayers and fasting are needed as well.
Now as you settle in the comfort of your living room in front of your TV awaiting for news updates, let me remind you that the battle does not only rage red and hot in the confines of the Capitol, but also right inside your own living room, inside your heart and mind. Yes, not just the US lawmakers, but all of us are at war against these hidden forces of evil, so let us all put on the armor of God and believe that behind those thick, dark clouds God’s love, goodness and glory twinkle, awaiting for the right time to shine through. And He never fails.
