Staying Strong on the Blue Planet

Recently, I watched an episode of “The Blue Planet,” a British nature documentary. I could watch these programs all day until it comes to those predator/prey scenes. They’re a heart-breaking reality of survival, and I usually turn the channel before the predator captures its quarry. In this episode, a pod of orca hunt a gray whale mother and baby, working together with amazing precision and perseverance. As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t look away. They were targeting the baby, separating her from her mother, keeping her from getting precious air, and exhausting both her and her mother, chasing them for seven long hours. Finally, the baby succumbed to the orcas, her blood staining the waves that washed over her body. As her baby became a feast for the orcas, the mother swam away alone.

Knowing the intelligence and emotional acumen of whales, I wondered if mothers who lose their babies to predators cry tears that mix with the same waters where their babies' blood flows. I also imagined the vocal cries of both the mother and baby during those long hours of torment. Why didn’t other whales come to their aid? Why were they left to fight alone? With my heart for God’s creatures being what it is, the images stayed with me for quite some time. 

The world we live in and the circumstances we face are much like the pod of orcas. The things we see, hear, and experience weary us. In case you’ve not noticed, there is a continuous barrage against our faith. I heard recently about how termites are so effective. Like the orcas, they are relentless. Tiny in size, they can only take small bites of their host- perhaps your house. But in numbers and with dogged determination, their destructive abilities are amazing. 

Over the years, there has been a slow, steady process of social and cultural shift away from righteousness established by God to what is perceived to be right by humans. Proverbs 14:12 says, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Little by little, clarity and discernment regarding right and wrong have become so gray, many in the body of Christ have fallen prey to the world’s fallen perceptions. And in case you’ve not noticed, the slope has become exceedingly slippery and every godly, moral, righteous stance is looked upon as hate, stupidity, antiquated, and bizarre at best. It’s like we are whales in a pod of killer orcas who work tirelessly to attempt to drown the passion, steadfastness, and boldness of every believer. And it would seem that it’s working. But there’s another reality.

It can be viewed as a dark time in history- much like the days of Noah and Sodom and Gomorrah. And yet, God is raising up a remnant- perhaps even separating and calling out those who will stand firm in the truth without wavering. For those who can endure to the end, they will inherit the promise! For those who endure, they are here for such a time as this. Notice how the United States is no where mentioned in the end time prophesies. I believe it is because this nation will have fallen so far from grace and its heritage that it becomes a third world nation. However, the Word and the Truth will endure and triumph! Those remnant warriors will be rewarded and be led by Jesus himself into that final victory! We need not dismay. We need not be weary, lose our passion, or be afraid of what men might say or do. We will never be left alone to fight the enemies who try to break us down and lead us to our death. We need only to cling firmly to him! And with him, we have been made MORE than conquerors!

Isaiah 40:28-31 

Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the weak,

And to those who have no might He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.

Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Ephesians 6:10-12 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.