“In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.” – Nehemiah 4:20

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A member of our church family was seriously ill. For days he struggled between life and death, and the news of his condition went out to our other churches. “This brother needs prayer.” It was a call to battle. God’s people were united with one purpose and we knew this struggle was not too big for God. There was a desperate need, and we prayed believing God would respond. In a few days’ time, God gave the victory. That man made a full and miraculous recovery.

In these last days, Satan is trying extra hard to take out those who are committed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He attacks on every side, with illness, afflictions, family struggles, and distractions in many avenues. We, as soldiers of the Cross, need to be on the frontline, on our knees fighting with tears and strong supplications that God will keep His people under the Blood and protected as they carry the Good News to the world.

While the Israelites were repairing the walls of the old city, each one carried a sword in one hand and a working tool in the other. As they worked, they were aware of what was going on around them. If any part of the wall was in danger of attack by the enemy, they were to sound a trumpet and workers around the wall would rally to the point of attack and be ready to resist the invasion. Sounding the trumpet was a cry for help, and we can still do that today. When we are in the thick of battle, we can call on the prayers of others for our need. What a comfort it is to know there is power in prayer and that through the united prayers of the saints many battles are won!

When the enemy attacks God’s people, we have the privilege to “sound the trumpet” to charge against the army of Satan. We do not fight against flesh and blood, but against “principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). But neither do we fight alone; our Captain goes before us, and we are promised the victory! As we pray in our private devotions each day, let us remember our nation’s leaders, our ministers, and each other. We have seen the wonders of God’s answers, and it gives us great confidence that our God continues to watch over us until the day of His coming.