Planting Land Mines
"For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." — 2 Timothy 1:12
Where This Ends
Dark days are ahead. Darkness is sweeping over the world quickly, and everything on the political front suggests the final pieces are being moved into place.
And here is the picture to close with:
Every time we share the gospel with someone, or hand out a tract, or give any piece of gospel literature, we are planting a land mine in the enemy's territory.
Let us make his final moves as difficult for him as we possibly can. Plant land mines all through the ground he still has to take.
That is what your ordinary, unremarkable witness actually is. Not a gesture. A device left in territory an enemy must cross.
When Fear Comes
He will try to torment you with fear. Do not let him.
The counsel is direct: every time a fearful thought comes into your mind, directly rebuke the spirit of fear in the name of Jesus Christ. Not analyze it. Not sit with it. Rebuke it.
And stand firmly on two verses:
"For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." (2 Timothy 1:12)
"The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me." (Psalm 138:8)
The most important thing any of us has committed to the Lord is ourselves. Simply trust that He will fulfil His purpose for you and keep you steadfast in His will to the end.
We cannot allow doubts and fears to be planted in our minds. God is powerful enough to give us strength to stand firm and refuse to deny the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, no matter what we may face.
The Call, One Last Time
"Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong... Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision." (Joel 3:9–10, 14)
And the terms under which we go:
"Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves." (Luke 10:3)
Lambs among wolves. He never described it as anything else, and He sent them anyway.
Point to Ponder
Every tract, every conversation, every word of the gospel is a device left in territory the enemy still has to cross.
Verse to Remember
"For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." — 2 Timothy 1:12
Question to Consider
What did I begin this study believing, and what do I believe now?
Today's Practice
Three things to close.
First, review. Go back through everything you have written across these hundred lessons. The recurring problems. The five questions. The covenant you signed and dated. The inventory of your house. The list of doorways. The names of those in the valley.
What has been dealt with? What remains? Write the remaining items on one page with dates beside them.
Second, answer the five questions again. Find the page from the third lesson and answer them afresh: Do I know Him personally? Does He speak to me? Do I walk with Him? Could I stand against real evil in His authority? Is there sin giving ground?
Compare the two pages. That comparison is the honest measure of what these lessons have done.
Third, plant a land mine this week. One. A conversation, a tract, a gospel given to a specific person by name — from the list you wrote on the very first page.
Not eventually. This week.
Prayer
Father, I began this study comfortable, uninformed, and largely asleep. I do not want to end it merely better informed.
Thank You for everything You have shown me — the covenants, the doorways, the fire, Your voice, the ground I had given away without knowing it.
I commit myself to You. That is the most important thing I have to give, and I give it. Keep what I have committed to You against that day. Perfect that which concerns me.
Where fear comes, give me the resolve to rebuke it rather than reason with it. I will not deny Your name, whatever comes, and I know I cannot do that in my own strength.
Send me into the valley. Let me plant land mines all through the ground my enemy still has to take. Let me be a lamb among wolves, since that is how You send Your people, and let it be enough that You sent me.
May we all be found hard at work in Your kingdom when You return.
Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.
"Behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves." He never described it as anything else — and He sent them anyway.