Dr. Rick Mandl - July 27, 2020
Invisible Enemies Can Sometimes Be The Most Deadly
Invisible Enemies Can Sometimes Be The Most Deadly
Monday July 27, 2020
Hey church family, ever struggle with a sore throat. I’m not talking about the kind of sore throat where you suck on a lozenge and it goes away. I’m talking about a raging sore throat from which you can’t get any relief? I was reading recently about a twenty-five-year-old woman who went to the hospital after dealing with pain and irritation in her throat for five days. Her symptoms began after she consumed some sashimi, a kind of raw fish. According to a report in “The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene”, doctors soon identified the problem... The problem was a 1 ½ inch black worm in her tonsil. Further tests showed that she had been infected with Pseudo-terranova-azarasi, a parasitic roundworm that usually infects marine mammals such as walruses and seals. Humans however, can contract the worm by consuming raw fish or squid. When the worm is seen, it is usually found in the stomach; infections in the throat are reportedly rare. The story of this woman’s experience reminded me of the truth that just because we can’t see something, doesn’t mean it isn’t there.
Invisible enemies can sometimes be the most deadly of all, and no, I’m not talking about COVID-19, but rather about... I’m talking about spiritual warfare. In Ephesians 6:12 the Apostle Paul writes, “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” But then he continues and reminds us that God has provided us with everything we need to be victorious in this battle against this invisible enemy. I like the way that the Message Paraphrase puts it... It says, “Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out."
I share this with you today because if you feel like you’re battling something right now that’s bigger than you can handle, you might be right. But rest assured no matter how big that enemy might seem, God has provided you and me with everything we need in order to be successful in the battles we fight. But it begins and ends prayer. “Prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.”
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