The Invisible Battle

# The Invisible Battle

In a Master's program class at the Vietnamese Baptist Seminary in Dallas, there were 30 enrolled students, but what was particularly remarkable was an elderly woman—over 70 years old, a widow raising her children alone, her husband having gone home to the Lord many years before. The professor called her "Mrs. Thuyet." She appeared very healthy, sharp-minded, and cheerful in class. The professor introduced her as "a source of encouragement to the young people in the class; an elderly person who still loves God's Word, undeterred by the difficulties of age or living conditions." If an elderly person like her continues to eagerly study God's Word, then nothing should hinder young people from continuing their studies, shouldn't it? However, "it's easy to say, but hard to do!" Mrs. Thuyet had truly gone through years of "fighting with life," especially "the invisible battle"—the hardships and temptations of raising children alone and providing them with education according to God's purpose. This is a true test that requires unwavering faith and wholehearted obedience to God to overcome!

We are certainly living in an "invisible battle" where we can easily "lose," because with our ordinary physical eyes, we cannot see that invisible enemy! Apostle Peter advised us, "Be sober and vigilant; your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). We truly don't see a lion prowling about, but that is precisely the invisible devil—truly terrifying! Therefore, we must always be "sober and vigilant," guarding our spiritual lives carefully, every moment. Apostle Paul revealed to the believers in Corinth the secret to battling the invisible enemy: it is "the power of God." He said, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). Let us trust God with all our heart, all our strength, all our mind, and all our soul. Let us pray for His absolute power to help us in every circumstance of life! Let us praise Almighty God—omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient—His name is exalted above all names; for only He alone can help us overcome every difficulty, trial, temptation, and especially this spiritual, invisible, unseen battle! We thank God that He always watches over us and guides us step by step on every path!

We earnestly pray that the Holy Spirit would remind us and protect us from every temptation; that He would strengthen us, give us more grace, and help us overcome this fierce and dangerous invisible battle; so that our faith may be strengthened, we may draw ever closer to God, and we may receive the glorious crown of life in the Kingdom of Heaven forever and ever! Amen!

Difficulties and temptations, many trials, Come surrounding us without warning, This spiritual battle, who can comprehend, We must always be vigilant, never careless! God's power is worthy of our trust, With all our strength and heart, never hesitate, Meditate day and night on God's Living Word, The Holy Spirit reminds us, never turn away!

—Ngoc Huynh Bich

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