PRESPECTIVE ON THE NEWS January 28, 1980 Issue

Armed with spirituality

What can spirituality mean to us? A quality of thought so imbued with an awareness of God's supremacy that we take the offensive instead of a defensive stance against disorder and world turmoil.

The intervention in Afghanistan by Soviet troops, continuing unrest in Iran, the buildup of Soviet forces facing NATO countries, suggest heightened tensions. The fact is, these stirrings may well force us into discovering more of the spirituality that provides true stability and protection.

The Bible is replete with instances of crises met through spiritual advance. As individuals, or a nation, had to face up to the fact that traditional solutions for instability or danger were inadequate, they were forced into a stronger reliance on God. Elijah, Gideon, Moses, Nehemiah, and others overcame incredible difficulties. Again and again these leaders were able to discern the right choices, taking steps that corrected injustice or disorder, because they turned straight to divine authority for their actions. For example, David, before meeting Goliath, had been offered King Saul's own armor—the best available. Yet David perceived that the real solution was to be found in a realm quite beyond quantity and quality of material weapons. The crucial part of his armament was his recognition that he came "in the name of the Lord of hosts."^{ I Sam. 17:45;}

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