In 1971, Memorial Day became a national holiday by an act of Congress; it is now celebrated on the last Monday in May to honor those who have died in all American wars. A meal will be part of your Memorial Day as we remember the more than one million men and women who gave their lives in 76 wars—many in unconventional conflicts. Those are staggering numbers. But a recent report brings to light that twice as many Americans have died in school shootings than at war. Unfortunately, May is also the month that draws our attention to an unprecedented battle ground—our schools. On May 24, 2022, one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history occurred when 19 children and two teachers were killed when a gunman entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde and barricaded himself inside adjoining classrooms with dozens of students. How do we contend with this kind unconventional conflict? Unconventional warfare is nothing new, especially if you are a Christian. Christians have never had a break from war against an unconventional enemy.
We need to know how to fight an unconventional enemy. We are all victims of unconventional weapons (strange fire) according to Ephesians:
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12
What is one way to fight unconventionally? Elisha was in an unconventional war worth remembering. We see him in II Kings 6:15-23 where he uses an unconventional strategy to defeat an enemy. We will see we need to look at our enemy differently, and a secondly, treat our enemy differently. We need to take them to the table.
KEY VERSES:
15 The prophet’s attendant got up early in the morning. When he went outside there was an army surrounding the city, along with horses and chariots. He said to Elisha, “Oh no, my master! What will we do?” 16 He replied, “Don’t be afraid, for our side outnumbers them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so he can see.” The Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw that the hill was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 18 As they approached him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike these people with blindness.” The Lord struck them with blindness as Elisha requested. 19 Then Elisha said to them, “This is not the right road or city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you’re looking for.” He led them to Samaria. 20 When they had entered Samaria, Elisha said, “O Lord, open their eyes, so they can see.” The Lord opened their eyes and they saw that they were in the middle of Samaria. 21 When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “Should I strike them down, my master?” 22 He replied, “Do not strike them down! You did not capture them with your sword or bow, so what gives you the right to strike them down? Give them some food and water, so they can eat and drink and then go back to their master.” 23 So he threw a big banquet for them and they ate and drank. Then he sent them back to their master. After that no Syrian raiding parties again invaded the land of Israel.
High Points: Fighting fire with stranger fire
We need to see the fight through the eyes of God. God opened the eyes of the servant to show him that God was in the fight:
17 Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so he can see.” The Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw that the hill was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
We need to see that there is more help from God that cannot be seen with the natural eye. We need to see with the spiritual eye. Look for the spiritual in the fight. What is the Spirit is telling you—not just your favorite news outlet, your clique, clan, or the “cave” men of your man cave you hang with. Listen with your heart to the mourning parent, the hungry infant, and the bullied child. Listen and see with your heart. Ask God to remove the human veil that plagues us all, and show me the “horses and chariots of fire.” Show me the Spiritual because it is there where the Kingdom victories lay.
Second, we need to treat our enemy the way we want to be treated. God’s way was to feed (love) their enemy with the results that were loving and lasting.
22 He replied, “Do not strike them down! You did not capture them with your sword or bow, so what gives you the right to strike them down? Give them some food and water, so they can eat and drink and then go back to their master.
God has always stressed that we fight our enemies unconventionally with love. (Matt: 5:43: Love your enemy). Feed your enemy:
Rather, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing this you will be heaping burning coals on his head. 21 Romans 12:20-21
Your enemy expects you to retaliate, fire with like fire. But you throw them off balance when you respond with an open hand offering a cup of kindness rather than a closed fist of violence. It is then when the enemy is open to change.
Finally, we need to remember the unconventional war strategy of the Lord’s Table. The Lord’s Table was God’s strategy to defeat the enemy: forgiveness through Christ.
This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:28.
Bring your enemy to the table and remember to feed them forgiveness and love—the main course of the main meal. In the classroom and on the school yard, I look for two kids—the bully and the bullied. The bully is really a hurting kid, and hurt people hurt people. That is why they bully. I extend to them an unexpected olive branch of forgiveness, and encouraging word, “You are better than this. You are not what people call you. Today, you will be my assistant. Represent.” They generally rise to the challenge. That’s feeding.
To the bullied kid, I do the same—reverse the script. “You are stronger, faster, more victorious—a winner. Bullies are afraid of you, what you will become, a leader. Today, you will be my assistant. Represent.” They generally rise to the image. That’s feeding.
And if any of the two—bully or bullied—are hungry physically, I feed them. When they become men and women, they will likely remember those moments, not as warfare but as compassion, and live up to them. Imagine if the shooter at Uvalde had more feedings of kindness when he frocked those same playgrounds. We are at war more today on many fronts. This Memorial Day weekend and beyond, remember the unconventional ways to fight the good fight.
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