We have a variety of Alarms here at the base which tells us what to do when we are being attacked or have been attacked. When we are in Green, everything is good. We are not being attacked currently and if we have been recently attacked we are now safe to continue about our normal routine. Alarm Yellow is after an attack when we have to make sure the base is safe and that there are not any unexploded ordinances UXOs. We must remain under cover at this time unless you are on a team that searches for UXOs. Once “All Clear” is called we are then back to Green. Alarm Red is sounded when we are under attack. During this time we are to take cover and remain under cover until Alarm Yellow is sounded. The Alarm Red siren is a little disconcerting; however, what really gets your attention is when over the loud speakers you hear: “INCOMING, INCOMING, INCOMING” This means that the attack is in your immediate vicinity. What we have to do in this situation is drop to the ground and cover our eyes, ears, and head as best as we can. At this point you wait for the proverbial other shoe to drop. These episodes generate a lot of thoughts, as you can imagine, but the one that came to my mind the other day is that there is a word that is used sometimes in the US that can generate the exact same reaction from people. People will become frightened, flee the area, or just cover their eyes and ears until the threat is gone. What word could strike such fear in people? What could possibly send people fleeing when they live in the safety of the US? The word has two syllables. It is a simple name. It just happens to be the “Name above all names” Ephesians 1:21 It is the name that at the end of time every knee will bow to and every tongue confess that He is Lord. Philippians 2:10-11 It is the only name that has the promise of salvation. “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 The very scary word is: Jesus. We are usually not scared of those sent to save us from destruction. When we are in a burning house a fireman is welcome, when our house is being robbed a policeman is a welcomed. When people in the old west were frightened their spirits were buoyed by knowing the US Cavalry was coming. This passage describes the man who carries this name: Wonderful counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6b Those attributes do not sound very scary.

There are members of my own family that consider any discussion of Jesus tantamount to hearing “INCOMING, INCOMING, INCOMING” Jesus knew this and talked about it when he described what belief in Him could do to a family. “Do you think I came to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on, five in one household will be divided: three against two, and two against three. They will be divided father against son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.” Luke 12:51-53 He also knew that belief in Him would lead to others hating you. “….You will be hated by everyone because of My name.” Matthew 10:21b Jesus said to expect it if you were a follower of Him A lot of people can talk about spirituality or God today but few will allow Jesus to enter their conversation except in vain. Even Christians find themselves walking carefully when they are referring to their Savior. They can call him God for He is, but to call him Jesus acknowledges who their Savior is.

On a military base, especially in Iraq, there are a lot of very harsh words used. Curse words are used frequently and in a number of very creative ways: nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, commas, objects, indirect objects, etc. Most people will hear these words that not too long ago would have quieted a room, and continue with their work without giving the incredibly foul language a second thought. However, I say Jesus at the same level but in a reverent way and the room will become silent and you can feel the tension rise.

If as you read this you start to feel tension rise, what has happened is that the Mighty God is now speaking over the loud speaker of your heart and instead of the frightful “INCOMING” that I hear on this air base in Iraq, The Prince of Peace is asking a question “AM I COMING IN?” “Listen! I stand at the door [of your heart] and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and have dinner with him and he with Me. The victor: I will give him the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I also won victory and sat down with My Father on His throne.” Revelation 3:20-21

Solis Deo Gloria

More thoughts to come,