Armed For Battle
The Bible teaches how God will guide us through battles, arm us for all warfare, and guarantee us victory.
“When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you...Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory...When you march up to attack a city, make its people an offer of peace. If they refuse to make peace and they engage you in battle, lay siege to that city."
Deuteronomy 20:1-8, 10, 12, 16, 18
If you pay attention to the subtleties of the written word you will find that there are mysteries God reveals. God does not tell the people that if they devote their hearts to Him and follow Him fully that their lives will be absent conflict. He does not guarantee peace externally only the promise of peace internally. Are you expecting a life of ease devoid of conflict? Think again. God says when you go to war not if. God knows that you will face opposition and the schemes of the enemy. What battles are you facing?
Jesus said in this world you will have trouble. God is not promising Christians a life of ease. Instead He strengthens us for the battle. He wants to help you be prepared and have a plan of attack. He does not leave you helpless nor put you in harms way with no ability to make it through difficulty. God speaks in truth. He says do not be afraid. The posture of heart your will greatly impact your experiences and expectations. Some form of do not be afraid is written 365 times in the bible. Once for each day. Is that a coincidence or evidence of God's calm hand that is offered to steady us as we move through the battles? God says He is the one who will fight on your behalf. He wants you to let go of the worry over the outcome and learn to trust Him with each day. Have you spoken the truth out loud that you do not need to be afraid and declared that God will give you victory?
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Psalms 23:1-6
What would happen if you recited Psalm 23 on repeat until you believed the words of one of David's most famous songs? What would happen if you spoke these words over you life before you stepped out of your house? What would happen if before you engaged in battle you sang this song of victory over your life?
Do you know who hates Psalm 23? The enemy. Anxiety. Worry. Fear. Lies. Offense. Doubt. Unforgiveness. All of these hate Psalm 23 because they cannot stand against the words of truth. God wants you to know that He has the power to provide so that you lack nothing. He wants you to know He has the peace to quiet waters and refresh your soul. He wants you to know He has a plan to make it through the dark paths. He wants you to know He prepares a way ahead of you as He is always working. He wants you to know He is your portion and you are His prize as He anoints you with oil and overflows your cup. He wants you to know He is your personal Savior as you call Him my Shepherd. Have you personalized Psalm 23? Do you know this is for you?
“It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them. Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin”? Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance. A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?"
Proverbs 20:3, 7, 9, 18, 24, 27, 29
Solomon shares how to execute an effective plan of attack. He gives us advice about what will trip us up and what will teach us God's ways. What does he say about barriers we will face? He says avoid strife and conflict that is unnecessary. God knows you will have battles, but He does not want you to pick a fight that is not needed. He said in Deuteronomy to start from a place of peace. Offer peace. Are you offering peace or causing problems by how you are treating others? Are you gossiping or guarding your words? God's knows you are not perfect, but you can be blameless by listening to His voice in each moment.
Solomon says the Lord directs your steps. Why does this matter? God wants to change the way we think and how we approach each day. He wants to teach us to live with a heart of gratitude where we give thanks in all circumstances. If the Lord is directing our steps then we do not have to grip about where we find ourselves when things are hard. We can simply turn to our Shepherd ask how He is guiding us today through the valley of the shadow of death. Solomon says seek advice. The best one to seek advice from is the God who holds the keys to victory. Where do you need to stop leaning on your own understanding and ask God for help?
“Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep...he said to them, “I have had a dream that troubles me and I want to know what it means...Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him. He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed...During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his...He reveals deep and hidden things...The king asked Daniel... “Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?” Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come...The God of heaven has given you dominion and power and might and glory; in your hands he has placed all mankind and the beasts of the field and the birds in the sky. Wherever they live, he has made you ruler over them all...In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed...Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him. The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.” Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men."
Daniel 2:1-3, 16, 18-23, 26-29, 31-49
Daniel faces an impossible situation. Can you imagine if the President of the United States said he had a dream and you would die if you didn't tell him the dream and what it meant? Can you imagine how much fear was present amongst all the people who had been advisers to the king but had nowhere to turn? It is the same for people in our world. How do people make it through all the ups and downs of life without the living God? How can you live apart from faith? No one was made to live separated from their Creator. Should this not help us have empathy for the lost and hurting?
Daniel's decision to turn to God is what allows him to step into his divine destiny. Solomon says God directs steps. Daniel didn't know when he was forced from his home, became an indentured servant, and had his name change that it was all part of God's plan to make him ruler of the land. He didn't know how God would give him victory and neither do we. That's the point. God is God and we are not. The question we face is if we will trust Him, turn to Him, and stay true when we are in the midst of the fire. Daniel chose God and God showed the plans He had for his chosen. Where do you need to trust God and His plans today?
“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do...be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground...Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace...take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
Ephesians 6:7-8, 10-18
Paul says before you physically arm yourself for the battle that victory has is won in your heart. He says serve wholeheartedly. Go all in. Jesus said love with all your heart. God wants you to be faithful before you see how He is fighting for you. What would happen in our world if everyone lived, worked, served, and loved as though they were doing all those things for the Lord and not for people? Would crime and poverty not vanish? The bible says one day every knee will bow to Jesus and on that day we will see the world restored.
Paul says don't go into life unprepared. How many times have you hurried into your day only to realize you never got dressed in the spiritual attire that you need? How many hard days could have been avoided if you had put on the sandals of peace, the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, held the shield of faith, put on the helmet of salvation, and been armed with the sword of the Spirit?
God gives us what we need for the battle. How do each of the elements of the armor of God help us to be brave and fight our battles? How could you change the patterns of your life to make sure you build time into to get fully clothed in Christ? God wants to give you victory here and now in addition to in the heavenly realms. You have all that you need to be victorious through Christ who strengthens you. The question is not if you will face battles, you will. The question is if you will be fully dressed with the armor of God so that your faith will stand firm with all that you will face. The good news is you do not fight alone. You have a Shepherd in Jesus who promises that you will lack nothing. Hear His voice today and know that His goodness and unfailing love will follow you all the days of your life.