Faithful Fighter

Obey the King. Live in truth and do not be in a hurry to leave His presence, for in it is the fullness of joy.

“The sons of Issachar…four in all. The sons of Tola…heads of their families. During the reign of David, the descendants of Tola listed as fighting men in their genealogy numbered 22,600…The sons of Uzzi…had 36,000 men ready for battle…All these sons of Jediael…17,200 fighting men ready to go out to war…Ezer and Elead were killed by the native-born men of Gath, when they went down to seize their livestock…Nun his son and Joshua his son…All these were descendants of Asher—heads of families, choice men, brave warriors and outstanding leaders. The number of men ready for battle…was 26,000.” 1 Chronicles 7:1-40

This chapter recounted the families of six of the sons of Jacob. Jacob, later known as Israel, was a fighter. He got his new name after wrestling with God. The men were separated by those who would serve the king and fight for the people and those who would not. What do you think the people were doing who did not serve the king? Why were they not willing to lay down their lives for others?

Within those who were willing to serve, there was a distinction. There were people who would fight, those ready to play a part in the battle, and those ready for war. It might seem like a subtle difference, but how you prepare will impact whether you accomplish the king’s purposes.

If you think about it, a battle is more organized than a street fight. It has strategy and structure. There is a plan and a purpose. A time and a place. It is a singular event. A war is made of many fights and many battles. It has a greater cost and requires deeper commitment. The question is whether you are someone who is staying at home, ready for a single fight, prepared to do battle, or fully devoted to what it takes to win the war.

Why would any of this matter for us today? The Bible says we are in a spiritual battle, and we are to serve our King. Our role in the kingdom of God is given by our Commander in Chief, Jesus Christ. Paul said we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against powers of this dark world and evil forces in the spiritual realm.

“Gird your sword on your side, you mighty one; clothe yourself with splendor and majesty. In your majesty ride forth victoriously in the cause of truth, humility and justice; let your right hand achieve awesome deeds. Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness…Led in with joy and gladness, they enter the palace of the king. Your sons will take the place of your fathers; you will make them princes throughout the land.” Psalms 45:3-16

David said that what you fight for matters. Fighting just to fight does not honor the Heavenly Father. He is looking for people who will stand for just causes. He wants people who will serve the King by speaking truth, walking humbly, and loving justice. It sounds like the famous verse in Micah 6:8.

When was the last time you got into a fight or an argument? Was it because you were standing up for what is right or because you thought you were right? Jesus began the Sermon on the Mount by emphasizing humility, and David reiterated its importance in this text. Many people who fight in culture do so out of pride or to demonstrate power. Our motivation and our approach to fighting matter.

Servants of the kingdom of God can fight without a weapon that harms others, and they are clothed in the splendor of salvation found in Jesus. Jesus is the One who leads us in victory. He fights on our behalf and goes before us so we can enter His kingdom with thanksgiving.

When you fight for justice and righteousness in response to receiving the love of God, your tone will be totally different. People can still hear joy in your voice and gladness in your heart. How often do we lose our way and allow offense to culminate in conflict? How often do we find ourselves fighting with each other rather than fighting for kingdom causes?

“Obey the king’s command, I say, because you took an oath before God. Do not be in a hurry to leave the king’s presence. Do not stand up for a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases. I know that it will go better with those who fear God, who are reverent before him. There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: the righteous who get what the wicked deserve, and the wicked who get what the righteous deserve. So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil” Ecclesiastes 8:2-15

Have you committed your life to Jesus Christ? Have you taken an oath that He is your Lord and Savior? If so, then should we not obey our King? What are His commands? He said love one another. He said follow Me. He said bear fruit and believe.

Somewhere along the journey, we have lost the words of Solomon and have not always stayed faithful to our King. Solomon said, do not be in a hurry to leave the presence of the king. How much time do you spend praying each day? How does it impact your heart? Many of the mistakes we make in not loving others well occur when we have no margin and we feel hurried. It is hard to be patient when time is pressing us to get going, yet Paul said love is patient.

Solomon said enjoy your life. Eat and drink with gladness and joy will accompany your toil. Are you eating and drinking with gladness? Do you approach each day by recognizing that all that you have is a gift from God? Does joy accompany your toil, or are you just excited to hurry through the week so you can have your weekend time?

Perhaps we need a change. Perhaps we need more time with the King and less time hurrying or worrying. Wisdom only makes a difference if we apply what we know God teaches to how we live. Wisdom tells us that we were made to work for God and that we would do well to fight for what pleases God. Solomon said no matter what you do, make sure you fear the Lord so you are fighting the right fights.

“Then the prophet Hananiah took the yoke off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah and broke it, and he said before all the people, “This is what the Lord says: ‘In the same way I will break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon off the neck of all the nations within two years.’ ” At this, the prophet Jeremiah went on his way…the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: “Go and tell Hananiah, ‘This is what the Lord says: You have broken a wooden yoke, but in its place you will get a yoke of iron. Then the prophet Jeremiah said to Hananiah the prophet, “Listen, Hananiah! The Lord has not sent you, yet you have persuaded this nation to trust in lies.” Jeremiah 28:10-15

A real friend tells you the truth. As much as we want to hear that everything is going to work out the way we want, if that is not what God says about the path we are on, should we not change? Hananiah told the people not to worry and that God would deliver them from their fight with Babylon. The problem is that was not true. The people had worshiped false gods and forsaken obeying the King, so the bill was due for their deeds.

The deeper message is that we have to live in truth. Every day we would do well to evaluate our hearts and review whether we have been faithful in following our King. Consider reflecting on recent events. Where have you honored God by how you’ve served others? Where have you fallen short? The truth will set you free if you allow it to turn you toward the King.

“Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers…Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said. Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he…Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?…You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.” It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm…Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself…One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow…Pilate…summoned Jesus…“Are you the king of the Jews?”…“You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. John 18:3-38

Jesus is the King. He obeyed the Father to the point of death on the cross. He fought the good fight. His heart was to be faithful and serve God’s will in order to win the war on sin and death. He did not bow to public pressure, let betrayal derail Him, or let His mouth utter a single lie. He did what God told Him to do and, in doing so, saved us all.

Peter drew his sword and let his emotions get the best of him. He let a little cold and a lot of fear cause him to deny his King. That’s usually all it takes to get us off track and cause us to forfeit fighting for what is right. The enemy knows that if he can get us to focus on our flesh, listen to the false, or live in fear, then we will lose. Paul said let the sword of the Spirit lead you. 

Look at the connections in these passages. David said to sheath the sword and see that God is working. Peter took matters into his own hands rather than trusting God’s timing. The men in Chronicles were counted if they were willing to serve and stand for others. Solomon said obey the king and do not be in a hurry. Peter hurried his plans and harmed another in the process. That tends to be what happens to us as well. Is there anyone you have harmed recently? Anyone you owe an apology?

How do we respond to what we have learned today? How do we respond to Jesus taking our place and fighting our battles? We choose to be faithful to our King. We do what He says, and we make room for His presence. We listen to His voice, and we choose to live in truth. We do not just fight to fight; we fight for what is right, good, and pleasing to Him by following Him.

We let the joy of our salvation change how we approach others. We lead with grace, then out of relationship share truth. Before you draw your sword to do battle, remember how Jesus met you where you were when you needed grace. What will your tone be when others fail? Harshly judgmental or loving like Jesus?

It is good to take a stand and prepare for battle, but the battle is not just flesh and blood. The battle belongs to God, and victory is found in the blood of Jesus. Hold fast to a heart of humility and honor God by fearing and revering His Holy name. Where have you allowed pride to harm a personal relationship? How could humility help you move from fighting to friendship?

One day all that will be remembered of our lives is whether we faithfully served the King or whether we did not. Between now and then, Solomon says we should enjoy each day. Jesus says you are chosen, called, and equipped to bring the kingdom. You have a part to play and are meant to recognize what it means to be a prince or princess of the King. Your authority should spur a life of courageous action after you get your marching orders from having spent abundant time with Him.