The fog of war ∙∙

The fog of war ∙∙

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. – Psalms 119:105

Psalms 119:130 The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.

Psalms 18:28 For You light my lamp; The LORD my God illumines my darkness.

1 John 1:5-10

 5 God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;

 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

The phenomenon known as the fog of war has been extensively observed, analyzed, and documented in contemporary military conflicts. The fog of war represents the uncertainty faced by participants in warfare, symbolizing the complexities and uncertainties inherent in war. It is the personal uncertainty one suffers during an engagement, operation, or campaign. Once a battle begins, information can become confusing and even distorted.

In high-stress combat situations, all aspects of cognitive function are severely degraded. Basic cognitive functions like reaction time and alertness are notably hindered, as are more complex functions, including memory and logical reasoning. As cognitive abilities deteriorate and slow down, uncertainty and hesitation intensify, leading combatants to rely predominantly on instinct and prior training.

Notably, Navy SEAL training deliberately replicates the fog of war dynamics during Hell Week. These rigorous exercises simulate combat conditions by incorporating various stressors, including sleep deprivation, prolonged intense physical exertion, substantial physiological and psychological stress, and simulated combat scenarios.

Individuals who successfully navigate these challenges become candidates for further training to join the ranks of the Navy SEALs, the most elite military force on the planet.

The world we live in is a dark place. It mirrors a spiritual battleground cloaked in darkness, akin to a perpetual fog of war. The enemy and his minions are constantly probing and seeking advantage. Like it or not, we are at war. Picture yourself as a soldier dropped behind enemy lines. The enemy is all around and out to find and destroy you. As a child of the King, you are far from your true home in heaven.

To prevail in this spiritual conflict, we must implement effective strategies to counter the spiritual fog of war and emerge victorious in our battles.

REFLECT & PRAY

We have a choice: clarity of vision and focus or confusion and indecision.

Father I know what it is like to walk in the darkness. And thanks to You, I also know what it is like to walk in the light. Help me pursue and maintain fellowship with You as I walk with You in the light.

INSIGHT

If you grew up in an urban area, you know that there is always some light somewhere. Unless you’ve been in a cave or alone in the deep woods on a cloudy night, you may not have experienced truly dark nights away from city lights. Total darkness is indeed dark.

Psalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

In ancient times, without electric illumination, individuals carried small clay vessels filled with oil that provided a flickering light source. The light illuminated the path only one step ahead. They had little oil “night lights” to strap to their feet. A lamp to my feet can be translated as “a light that lights up the path I walk on,” “a light to shine on my path,” or “a light to shine in the place where I walk” (USB).

People could only see a few steps ahead. The rest of their route would be cloaked in darkness.

Life is a journey, and the Word of God provides guidance and wisdom to help us choose the right path.

We are to walk by faith in the light of God’s Word. We walk by faith when we follow the Word. Each act of obedience shows us the next step, and eventually, we arrive at the appointed destination. God’s Word is our guide. Obedience to the Word keeps us walking in the light (Wiersbe).

Managing the challenges of our dark world requires personal, practical, and continual dependence upon the Word of God.

The Father sent the light, the Lord Jesus Christ, into the darkness. He was life and light. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it (John 1:4-5).

The Lord Jesus Christ elaborated.

John 8:12 Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness but will have the Light of life.”

In order to navigate our way through the darkness of this present evil age, we follow the Light of the Word. “Jesus professed to be not only the inexhaustible source of spiritual nourishment, but he also was the genuine light by which truth and falsehood could be distinguished and by which direction could be established” (EBC).

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© Dr. H 2024