Saving Private Ryan

We are in a spiritual battle. Is there one who is down? Behind enemy lines? We must go get him!

In the 1998 film Saving Private Ryan, following the Normandy Landings, a group of U.S. soldiers go behind enemy lines to retrieve a paratrooper whose brothers have been killed in action.

The earth is behind enemy lines! But there are some places where the battle is raging more than others. When we see a brethren in trouble, wounded and down, we must be ready to go IN! We are resolute! We must go get him!

As the lyric in the song Stand up for Jesus says, "Let courage rise with danger."

Sometimes our spiritual battle is within, battling a temptation or a behavior that we must kill! (Romans 8:13; Colossians 3:5). But sometimes there is a fellow believer who is struggling with a grievous sin and we must gather together and put on the spiritual armor and go get him. "Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold." (2 Corinthians 3:12)

There is our man! We appeal to the Holy Spirit to save him from the clutches of evil into which he has fallen! Drag him out of there! Lay him at the cross, the hospital of healing for all souls!

Man down! "If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death." (1 John 5:16).

Holy Spirit, we cry out to you for him to be released back to Jesus. Satan get behind us!

Thank you Spirit! We conclude this battle and appeal to You for rest until the next one. You are faithful and sure. We are "addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart," (Ephesians 5:19)

When the battle comes your way, let courage rise with danger and remember, 

the strife will not be for long.

Stand up! stand up for Jesus!

Ye soldiers of the cross;

Lift high His royal banner,

It must not suffer loss:

From vict'ry unto vict'ry

His army shall He lead,

Till every foe is vanquished

And Christ is Lord indeed.

Stand up for Jesus

Ye soldiers of the cross;

Lift high His royal banner,

It must not, it must not suffer loss.

Stand up! stand up for Jesus!

The trumpet call obey;

Forth to the mighty conflict

In this His glorious day.

Ye that are men, now serve Him

Against unnumbered foes;

Let courage rise with danger.

And strength to strength oppose.

Stand up! stand up for Jesus!

Stand in His strength alone;

The arm of flesh will fail you;

Ye dare not trust your own.

Put on the Gospel armor,

And, watching unto prayer,

Where duty calls, or danger,

Be never wanting there.

Stand up! stand up for Jesus!

The strife will not be long:

This day the noise of battle,

The next the victor's song;

To him that overcometh

A crown of life shall be;

He, with the King of glory,

Shall reign eternally.