On “Palm Sunday” great crowds of people hailed Jesus in Jerusalem saying: “Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord”. But a week later they would shout crucify him! (John 12:13; Luke 23:21). As we enter this ‘Holy Week’, let us reflect on the “Hoshana” and “crucify him” type conflicts and how we might react or overcome them, using the Psalmist’s trust – “the LORD is my strength”. (Psalm 18 & 144).
- “HOSHANA” AND “CRUCIFY” CONFLICTS
“Hoshana” and “crucify him” situations are provoked when people behave or speak toward their neighbour in “vanity”, or with a “double heart” or “double mind”. (Psalm 12:2; James 1:8). Such conduct or speaking is usually underpinned by insincerity, selfishness, envy and fear; and they can create conflicts in our interactions or relationship with people.
For example, Jesus’ disciple Judas said “Hail Master, and Kissed him”, as a sign to hand him over to his adversaries to arrest him. Also, out of fear, Peter, who had promised to die with Jesus, would deny him thrice. (Matthew 26:47-47; 33-35 & 69-74). Similarly, King Saul, being afraid of David’s popularity and God’s favour on him, conspired to give his daughter to David, that she may be a snare to him to let the philistines kill him. (1 Samuel 12-25).
Brethren, “Hoshana” and “crucify type conflicts may occur for instance, when things do not appear the way one expects them; or where one makes judgements of people or situations through their own lens; or how much the judgements made are influenced by others or by the mists around a given situation.
Whatever the case, these conflicts, could cause people to feel betrayed, back-stabbed, distrust, fear and invariably disappointment, anger, hatred or malice. These are prideful emotions that can secret poison within. It may cause people to lose control and rely on own strength to react to the offender or the offence negatively, rather than rely on the LORD as strength. (Psalm 20:7; 33:16-18).
Clearly, ‘hoshana and crucify’ situations are hurtful and are against God’s word; and God is the judge of men. It is warfare! But reacting by ungodly passions in such conflicts does not bring peace. One cannot achieve a godly purpose by ungodly means – carnal weapons. Consider also that God may allow the conflict as a divine strategy to prove one’s faith in God, loyalty to his word, crush pride or breed humility or patience in us. (1 Chronicles 29:17; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 3:16-17).
- CARNAL WEAPONS OF VANITY
In conflicts, people usually chose carnal weapons over God’s strength because “[Truly], every man at his best state is altogether vanity [and] walketh in a vain shew: [and] they are disquieted in vain”; “Man is like to vanity”. (Psalms 144:4; 39:5-6,11). When vanity and pride collude, the product is fleshly vainglory: i.e., a care for how people might perceive you. This may cause people to indulge in perverted comparisons to make them feel better about themselves.
Carnal weapons may include: attacking others directly or covertly; seeding contentions or discord between people; outbursts of wrath; stubbornness; selfish ambitions; envying and strife; using slanderous words to discredit others; idolising conflicts by repeating events to esteem oneself, and debase others; causing others to judge the conflict in one’s favour by deceit; causing embarrassment; vengeful or vindictive behaviour; engaging sorceries, witchcraft and immoral indulgences to cause deliberate and maximum hurt. (Galatians 5:20; James 3:15; 1 Samuel 15:23). Consequently, one is in a dance with the devil.
The bandwidth of the poison of vanity and pride could extend to heresies: This is where, people would disregard God’s view of the crisis, but would seek to justify the ungodly conduct in the name of God and his word. Remember that, reactions by carnal weapons of vanity are driven by lusts, self-glory and satisfaction than towards the praise of God.
“From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?” So, brethren, avoid foolish arrogant speculations that only engender strife. (James 4:1; 2 Timothy 2:23)
- MOUTHS OF VANITY AND ‘STRANGE SPEAKERS’
Brethren, when one in “great waters” (or anger) employ the weapons of vanity in conflicts, one becomes the mouthpiece or the microphone for the voice of “strange children”. (Psalm 144:7; 17:14). David describes these ‘strange children’ as “… mouth [that] speaketh vanity”. They are the devil’s vile spirits, (unseen adversaries), who may devour God’s children and render their “tongue” “an unruly evil, full of deadly poison… a world of iniquity, set on fire of hell”. (James 3:5-12; 1 Peter 5:8).
These “strange children” cause people to “speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous”. They are “… inclosed in their own fat [and] with their mouth they speak proudly.” (Psalm 17:10; 31:18). ‘Strange speakers’ speak to other people with “flattering lips, “lying lips” and with a double heart”; they “speak great swelling words of emptiness,” proud things”, “mischievous things”, and “falsehood” to snare the righteous into conflict or seek their hurt. (Psalm 12:2-3; 144:8; 38:12; John 8:44; 2 Peter 2:18). According to David, the vanity mouths “whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words” [to] shoot in secret at the perfect”. (Psalm 64:3-4).
They believe that “with their tongue [they will] prevail; [that their] lips are their own” and none can rule over them (Psalm 12:4). The enticing and damaging impact on God’s children of the speaks of ‘strange children’ overwhelms David that he cries:” Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; For the faithful fail from among the children of men” (Psalm 12:1).
Therefore, in conflict situations, rely on the “pure words” of God and avoid vane-speaking and God shall set you in safety from them. If you keep God’s words on your lips instead of evil speaking, thereby, you shall keep from the paths of the destroyer. (Psalm 12.5-7; 144:9-10;17:4).
- THE BOAST IN GOD’S STRENGTH
God is our source of strength in conflict situations. David relies on the LORD as his strength and sings: “Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: my goodness, and my fortress; My high tower, and my deliverer; My shield, and he in whom I trust; Who subdueth my people under me”. (Psalm 144:1-2). What can we learn from this boast? – The first thing to understand is that one must personalise God’s strength – claim it, own it and apply it to one’s cause: “GOD, MY STRENGTH”.
- GOD TEACHES OUR HANDS TO WAR
God is the Master of warfare and can teach us how to win or overcome conflict without fighting carnally. “The LORD is a Man of War…”. (Exodus 15:3). Note that the devil and his princes of this world cannot understand the wisdom of God in war. (1 Corinthians 2:7-8).
One must learn the godly weapons and methods of warfare – They are spiritual, not carnal. Believers therefore need spiritual grounding in the art of God’s war, because, in conflicts, the fight is “not against flesh and blood”, but against “principalities”, “powers”, “rulers of the darkness of this world” and “spiritual wickedness in high places”. (Ephesians 6:12; Psalm 91:5-6).
When Peter took out sword to fight the people who came to arrest Jesus, he told him to “Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword”. He said if he prayed his father could send more than 12 legion of angels; but this was a spiritual war that was supported by scripture. (Matthew 26:52-55; Isaiah 50:11).
Relying on worldly dispositions to fight in conflicts may plunge one into a deeper and darker spiritual conflict. One must therefor be armed with the “mind of Christ” and the Holy Ghost who can reveal the word of God on spiritual warfare to us – “i.e., the “sword of the Spirit”. (1 Corinthians 2:11-16; John 16:13-15; Ephesians 6:17).
Yielding to the teaching and guidance of the Holy Spirit will cultivate in us “gentleness”, “patience” and “self-control” – fruits of the Spirit – which can keep one calm in trying situations. (Psalm 18:34-35; Galatians 5:22-23). Thus, one may require a reorientation from the carnal mindset in order to cultivate courage and patience to wait for divine guidance in crises.
- RELIABLE PILLARS OF STRENGTH
David presents the pillars of God’s strength in his goodness, his ability to deliver, and through symbolisms like fortress, high tower and shield. As, “goodness”, God is good and therefore he can make the conflict situation work out for the good of those that love him and are called according to his purpose. (Psalm 52:1; Romans 8:28). “Oh, how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee” (Psalm 31:19).
As “deliverer”, only God can deliver us from temptation and evil, and save from seen and unseen forces; and none can deliver out of his hand (Matthew 6:13; Isaiah 43:13; 45:7; Psalm 34:7). As a “fortress”, there can be no breaking into the refuge and fortress that God has around us. (2 Kings 6:17; Psalm 91:1-2, 9-10). As “high tower”: God keeps watch over us and we look up to him for strength. And as “Shield”, God is our defence against every attack. This shield is the “faith” by which one is able to “quench all fiery darts of the wicked” (Ephesians 6:16).
Further, believers should be aware of God’s “shield of salvation” which, Christ has purchased for them, and which qualify them to access the power of the Holy Ghost. Of this David says: “And thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great”. This is also his “truth” that shall be our “shield and buckler”. (Psalm 18:35; 91:4).
- TRUST IN GOD’S STRENGTH
Assured by the pillars of the strength of God, David proclaims: “Who is God save our Lord”? “Therefore, in whom I trust” (Psalm 144:7; 18:31). Brethren, if we also trust in the Lord, he will gird us with strength through the war: How does he do this?
Brethren, God will plead your cause with them who strive with you and fight with them that fight against you. He shall hide you in his secret place from the pride of man, and from the strife on tongues. (Psalm 35:1; 31:20). The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations. (2 Peter 2:9).
An important aspect of trusting in God’s strength is that “He [will] make your way perfect”, as he leads you in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. This means that he will not support you when you chose to fight using ungodly means. (Psalm 23:5; 18:32). But you shall need not fear anything, because when you shall call upon him, he will answer you; and be with you in trouble; and will deliver you. (Psalm 91:5-10, 14-15).
Also, when you give God your strength, he shall cause you to escape the snares of the enemy like someone with “hind’s feet”. He could also elevate you in the face of your enemies as he did for Mordecai in the conflict with Haman. (Psalm 18:32; Esther 6:6-12).
By not reacting negatively in conflict situations upon trust in God’s strength he can empower one to break “a bow of steel” with your arms; (Psalm 18:34). In other words, even your most vicious adversary will break under your indifference to his provocation or assault.
- STARVE THE FLESH AND FEED THE SPIRIT
My people of God, in spiritual warfare, one should try to starve the flesh and feed the spirit so that you may develop spiritual growth to understand the art of spiritual warfare and how to withstand it. It is even more important to do this so that one is in readiness, since “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution”. (2 Timothy 3:12).
So how does one starve the flesh and feed the spirit? To do this, first take heed to your ways, and sin not with your tongue. (Psalm 39:1). Here one must be determined that one’s mouth will not transgress when faced with a conflict. (Psalm 17:3). It may require that when provoked or tempted, you act as a deaf and dumb man; “and in whose mouth are no reproofs”. And God will justify you. (Psalm 38:13-14; Isaiah 50:6-8).
Brethren, be always mindful that the devil may be before you so keep your mouth with a bridle. Also, do not exalt vile men who speak vanity. (Psalm 39:1; 12:8). Rather, stay on your God; “Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you…Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use [or persecute] you” (Luke 6:27-28; Matthew 5:44; Romans 12:14). This will yield you spiritual fruits and rewards:
For example, one may shred some fleshly traits as a “son” of God and be “as plants grown up in their youth”. (Psalm 144:12). One could also develop spiritual arsenals for warring to withstand any conflict. You may emerge from the conflict as “daughters”, refreshed and replenished in the spirit, like polished cornerstones of a palace. One could similarly, grow more spiritual sensitivity to discern conflicts and so not be moved by fear or vanity. (Psalm 144:13).
Spiritual development will also keep one’s emotions under control and help you avoid as much as possible loss or destruction of material possessions in any conflict. Moreover, with the experience gained, the believer could be the “sheep” that would succour others in similar situations, even to convert others. He may be like “an oxen”, strong to withstand trials. And you may find rest and peace all around with no complaints. (Psalm 144:13-14).
- GOD’S BATTLE IS OUR VICTORY
Brethren be of the mind that the Battle is the Lords and yours is the victory. God has once appeared in flesh in the person of Jesus Christ and fought our earthly battles at the cost of the death and has overcome the world that we may be victorious in our own battles without fighting carnally and know his peace. (John 16:33).
Thus, when we repose trust in God’s strength to fight spiritually by ‘internalising the cost’ of the war, the Strength of God works more in our weakness. Let us therefore boast in our weakness when facing conflict, that the power of Christ may rest upon us. (2 Corinthians 12:9).
God’s mighty power shall foil the plots of our adversaries: See how he defeated Pharoah ‘s chariots, his host and captains in the red sea with his wind – “the blast of [his] nostrils”. (Exodus 15:8-10). Likewise, his “lightning” will scatter your adversaries; and his arrows will shoot out and destroy them. No weapon that is formed against God’s children will prosper; and every tongue that may judge us we condemn! (Psalm 64:7; 144:6; Isaiah 54:17).
Consequently, in victory, “[God] will subdue the people under us”; and we shall overtake, wound and consume those that rise up against us, (Psalms 18:37-39;40-42). And though the victory in spiritual warfare may not immediately manifest, one must have faith in a sure victory.
Brethren “Happy is that people, that is in such a case: Yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD”. (Psalm 144:15).
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Brethren, when you face a conflict situation kindly consider your choice of action on the following rationality: if God’s goodness is sure to prevail in difficult situations to our favour; if we are enclosed in his fortress that cannot be broken into by anyone or anything; and if he is our high tower that keeps watch for us; if he is our deliverer from seen and unseen forces including evil; and if he is our shield that can stop every arsenal from attacking us: then why do believers fight and strive? Who or what is compelling you to negative or vile reactions? Who are you speaking to, or listening to?
In the impenetrable safety of God’s fortress, protection and defence, are you really fighting against someone; or could you be striving with yourself in the contest of choices – God’s way; or the way of the world – carnal weapons and obedience to “strange children”?
PRAYER
Almighty Father, I thank you for your word.
Unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
May the God of peace crush Satan from under your feet soon. And may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17; Romans 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
I make this prayer in JESUS NAME.
Have a blessed Holy Week and a fruitful month.
Lots of Love, P. Schwartz (SOG) 02 April 2023.
