Reviving the Heritage for Survival Today
The Death of a Message . . .
Or, Survival Due to Heritage . . .
Or, Well, How About You Choose?
Recently, I have been reading a number of sources on the history of Russia, a country strangely intriguing. According to John Lawrence, a popular historian during the 1950s, the ancestors of modern day Russians were quite ingenious.
In fact, as early as the fifth century B.C, they were creating dugout houses within the forests to protect them from the heavy snows known to plague the land from late September to April. Unable to live in the steppe, or flat grasslands south of the forest, due to the persecution and raids of the Scythians, these Russian ancestors would dig a hole in the ground about four feet deep and cover it over with reeds, wood, and other materials they were able to secure.
These subterranean enclosures were then warmed by a low-level fire kept in the center of the earthen dugout; the roof would trap in the heat, only allowing smoke out through the makeshift doorway or cracks in the reeds and straw.
Although dark and smoky, the dugouts were safe and warm—often invisible to the eyes of invaders from a distance. They served the purpose of providing a warm place to sleep and hide in the midst of harsh winter storms. The heated surface would often keep the snow from accumulating on top of them as well.
The Importance of a Living Heritage….
While these dugouts were certainly primitive, I found it interesting that the Russians within the forested areas of the continent were not only well-aware of their ancestors’ practices but were not above employing such ancient wisdom in time of need.
During the second world war, the Germans invaded Russia. As many of us are aware, not only did the Germans burn several Russian villages but the Russians themselves decided to leave nothing with which to sustain the enemy.
Their tactic? The Russians in the path of the German forces left their homes and villages, carrying only what was precious to them and retreated deeper into their homeland. Instead of leaving their homes and their pantries as shelter and sustenance for the oncoming German forces, they made an astonishing sacrifice….They burnt their homes and their villages to the ground.
We might say, how could you do this? Simple. They had a greater cause in mind—the survival of their nation. With winter quickly approaching, they knew that the Germans could not survive the winter storms outside. They burned anything that could be used to sustain the enemy.
So what did they do? One might wonder how the Russians were able to survive the winter as they forged further inland themselves. But, there is one thing they had that the Germans did not have within the confines of this forest landscape—a heritage of survivors!
Rather than dying of cold and starvation, they lived off the land in the way their ancestors had … and created the same dugouts that had sheltered their ancestors twenty-four centuries earlier!
When backed into a corner, the peasants did not turn to some new-fangled idea or the leadership of the young. They turned to the old paths that had sustained their forefathers!
We Have A Few Old Paths Ourselves!
Just like the Russian citizenry, we likewise have some forefathers who paved the way for us! As we face trials in our own lives, we would do well to remember the old paths of those who have passed on before us!
Isaiah 58:12 calls God's children--today, we are the same--to rebuild "the old waste places." Those who return to the old paths will be called, "the repairer of the breach, the restorer of paths to dwell in."
We have a godly heritage. Now, I am not saying that technology and some new ideas aren’t advantageous, but somewhere we need to maintain our link with our forefathers! The further we stray from their paths, the more we are out of touch with our heritage and the techniques of survival we may need down the road.
Let me tell you, this message is tried and true. It has stood the test of time. Just like the dugouts, this message isn’t the most glamorous or even the most cultured from a worldly perspective—but it works!
When under attack—just like Russians—we need to follow the same steps they did to draw strength from the old ways!
First, the Russians in world war two left the familiar and took only what was precious to them or what was needed to survive. In the midst of a world that daily places more and more demands on our lives, we must know our priorities! For me, my priorities are my family being saved—not an expensive home. My priorities are being used of God—not having worldly wealth and fame. My priorities are having a unified and loving family—not always being right!
When you are going through a trial, often these priorities are the first things to be compromised. We hurt our families with our words, causing strife due to our stress in the situation. We hold onto material things, such as our home, our clothes, our knickknacks, rather than losing all to save our families’ hearts. And, often, when we struggle, we turn against God, blaming Him rather than drawing closer to Him for support!
Notice, this is the second step the Russians took. When the enemy attacked, they didn’t go sit on the edge of the country’s borders where the enemy could reach them. They traveled further into the safety of their country.
Too many times when we are hurting, we isolate ourselves from the church and its members. That is one of the easiest ways to backslide entirely. Notice, when a lion is seeking dinner on the grasslands of Africa, he separates the weak or struggling members of the herd off to themselves. Then, without the strength of numbers, the lion devours them! It’s an old tactic, known as ‘divide and conquer.’ Satan continues to use it because it works!
Instead of falling prey to this device, we should rather make an extra effort to reach for support. Engulf yourself in the church: attend every church function, call someone to pray for you, talk to your pastor or pastor’s wife, pray, and fast. In essence, get away from the borders…the edge! Seek the safety further inland!
Third, leave nothing for the enemy that would sustain him in his quest to destroy you, your family, and your church! The Russians burned their homes and their villages to starve the advancing German forces out! You can do the same!
Destroy any foothold Satan could use to pull you to the edge! If you have ought against a brother in the church, go and make it right! Abstain from sins that will discourage you in your attempt to live for God. And if there are things of this world—not even necessarily sin but things that divide your attention from God—get them out of your life for now!
Worldly entanglements are just that—entanglements! You don’t need anything that can trip you up when you are already under attack!
Most of all, change your perspective of your purpose. Your purpose isn’t to build a click of buddies, a perfectly decorated home, a career to be admired by the world. Your purpose is to be saved, to have your family saved, and to reach the lost!
The Russians realized that what was most important was the sovereignty of their nation. They may not have always agreed with their leadership—but they believed in the cause of their nation! They realized their nation was not the houses that had stood for hundreds of years. Likewise, it was not the comfortable sofa and décor they had put into their homes. It was their identity as Russians and the safety of them and their children that mattered!
Just like them, we have a purpose above all purposes—a calling above all callings. No career, home, belongings, lifestyle is above it—this message supersedes all. Someday, you may be asked to sacrifice all for this message. How can you trust that you will you do it….if you already have trouble placing it above these things in your life during a time where your life is not threatened???
Before the endtime comes upon us, I pray that we each learn to battle in the Spirit as we ought! No soldier who is not sold out to the cause will ever win a war!
In closing, I once heard a beautiful quote by Rev. Paul Mooney and I’ve never forgotten it. He said,
My question, what will you do with the message? Will it be left to the enemy as he encroaches closer and closer or will you forsake all for a cause greater than yourself?
Jeremiah 6:16-19"Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken. Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it."
