Author's Note: The original version of this was written in October 2021. I've revisited and rewritten this into two posts as I've reflected on serving others. This is the second. Weapons of Life is the first.
To further explore the thought that God's weapons give life to those who love Him, I'm adding another idea for a weapon in the armory of God: The War Hammer of Blessing.
To further explore the thought that God's weapons give life to those who love Him, I'm adding another idea for a weapon in the armory of God: The War Hammer of Blessing.
Tin Cans
According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of a war hammer is: “a weapon having a heavy head usually with one blunt and one spiked extremity.” That's a serious weapon. It’s power-packed, and it’s not meant for precision. It’s meant for brute-crushing force. The extended definition goes on to clarify who in the army uses war hammers and when: “[war hammers have] a long handle for infantry used in medieval warfare especially for breaking armor.” War hammers turn suits of armor into tin cans.
So why is this idea of the War Hammer of Blessing so compelling to me?
First, it's the exact opposite of what we expect. The War Hammer of... Blessing? How do those go together? But remember, this is exactly how God loves to work. In God’s hands the least likely tools are more versatile than we would ever think.
Second, as Christ's soldiers, the armor we're up against doesn't surround a man's body. It surrounds his heart. In our hands, The War Hammer of Blessing may just be the weapon God uses to break through that armor. Once that armor is removed, the Breastplate of Righteousness (Eph. 6:14) can be equipped.
So why is this idea of the War Hammer of Blessing so compelling to me?
First, it's the exact opposite of what we expect. The War Hammer of... Blessing? How do those go together? But remember, this is exactly how God loves to work. In God’s hands the least likely tools are more versatile than we would ever think.
Second, as Christ's soldiers, the armor we're up against doesn't surround a man's body. It surrounds his heart. In our hands, The War Hammer of Blessing may just be the weapon God uses to break through that armor. Once that armor is removed, the Breastplate of Righteousness (Eph. 6:14) can be equipped.
Swing the War Hammer of Blessing
Imagine any hard situation where someone is hurting or suffering. It could be the coworker at work who is just hoping she doesn’t have cancer because she’s getting tested for some unknown condition that’s making her unwell. It might be the young couple who are so busy taking care of their daughter, doing their jobs, and battling sickness that they haven't had a moment to rest in weeks. Or it’s the man who sits alone at church and waits and hopes for someone to talk to after the service as everyone talks happily around him.
These are real, heart-breaking situations that I’ve witnessed first hand. And what do I want to do in response? I want to love these people. Not just with feeling, but with action. I want to enter their lives swinging the War Hammer of Blessing!
When we seek to bless someone seriously and generously, we are swinging down the War Hammer of Blessing. Talk to that coworker getting medical tests and ask if you can bring her any meals. Ask that couple if you can watch their kids so they can get away. Invite that man over to your house for tea and conversations. It’s not one hit and done. Keep swinging!
Like Jesus, we should be people who deal gently and humbly with the hurting. I am for that; I agree whole-heartedly. But how often do we substitute tenderness with timidity? I need this reminder more than anyone else. All the examples above are situations where I failed to act.
Avoiding the battle, neglecting to put on our armor, or relaxing our grip on our weapons can actually be more dangerous than actually engaging. Let's move forward with our confidence in God and the equipment He's given us.
These are real, heart-breaking situations that I’ve witnessed first hand. And what do I want to do in response? I want to love these people. Not just with feeling, but with action. I want to enter their lives swinging the War Hammer of Blessing!
When we seek to bless someone seriously and generously, we are swinging down the War Hammer of Blessing. Talk to that coworker getting medical tests and ask if you can bring her any meals. Ask that couple if you can watch their kids so they can get away. Invite that man over to your house for tea and conversations. It’s not one hit and done. Keep swinging!
Like Jesus, we should be people who deal gently and humbly with the hurting. I am for that; I agree whole-heartedly. But how often do we substitute tenderness with timidity? I need this reminder more than anyone else. All the examples above are situations where I failed to act.
Avoiding the battle, neglecting to put on our armor, or relaxing our grip on our weapons can actually be more dangerous than actually engaging. Let's move forward with our confidence in God and the equipment He's given us.
Weapon of Life
In his book Gentle and Lowly, Dane Ortlund cites German theologian Jürgen Moltmann to point out that the miracles performed by Jesus weren’t an interruption of the natural order but a restoration of the natural order. They displayed what God originally intended for Creation. The War Hammer of Blessing is just like that. It crushes the wrong and revives the right. The collateral damage from the War Hammer of Blessing is not to be feared—but welcomed!
When we wield the War Hammer of Blessing and trust the Holy Spirit to guide the arc of its swing and the location of its landing, we will find that it can slam down in the desert and bring forth blossoms. Its pounding can start mending a broken heart. Its impact on a sick soul can begin healing. In God's Kingdom, it can be used to bring forth life.
We must remember that the blessings from our war hammers are not the ends in themselves but the means by which we point to the Almighty Warrior: King Jesus Christ. He wields the Ultimate War Hammer of Blessing. His hammer swing always lands perfectly and never fails to bring healing, life, and salvation.
So let’s follow King Jesus into battle by bravely, creatively, and even radically blessing hurting people. He’s already won the victory! We have nothing to lose. By doing so we will show the world our love in Christ and God's love for them.
It is blessed to be a blessing.
When we wield the War Hammer of Blessing and trust the Holy Spirit to guide the arc of its swing and the location of its landing, we will find that it can slam down in the desert and bring forth blossoms. Its pounding can start mending a broken heart. Its impact on a sick soul can begin healing. In God's Kingdom, it can be used to bring forth life.
We must remember that the blessings from our war hammers are not the ends in themselves but the means by which we point to the Almighty Warrior: King Jesus Christ. He wields the Ultimate War Hammer of Blessing. His hammer swing always lands perfectly and never fails to bring healing, life, and salvation.
So let’s follow King Jesus into battle by bravely, creatively, and even radically blessing hurting people. He’s already won the victory! We have nothing to lose. By doing so we will show the world our love in Christ and God's love for them.
It is blessed to be a blessing.
Doxological Extras
1) Acts 20:35
[35] In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
[35] In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
2) Miracles (and blessings) are a restoration to the natural order:
Jesus Christ's earthly ministry was one of giving back to undeserving sinners their humanity. We tend to think of the miracles of the Gospels as interruptions in the natural order. Yet German theologian Jürgen Moltmann points out that miracles are not an interruption of the natural order but the restoration of the natural order. We are so used to a fallen world that sickness, disease, pain, and death seem natural. In fact, they are the interruption.
From Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund