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Scripture for the day: 1 Timothy 6:11-12 But flee from these things, you man [or woman] of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Thought for the day: I’m guessing that the vast majority of generals throughout history have successfully refrained from providing the enemy with their battle plans. After all, it makes no sense to broadcast your strategy before the battle is even joined. But that’s exactly what the Commander of the Lord’s armies has done. So, the best we can do is to study God’s plan for victory and put it into practice.
First, we must be aware that the enemy attacks through various temptations aimed at what he knows are our weak spots. Paul’s response to this is two-fold, the first of which we find in his letter to Timothy. “Godliness with contentment is great gain,” says the great apostle, speaking from experience. “I’ve learned to be content no matter the circumstances, whether I’m rich or poor.” We are to pursue (strive for, run after, hunt down) righteousness and godliness, setting aside all those temptations that would lead us in a wrong direction.
Paul tells us in his letter to the Ephesians that we are to put on the whole armor of God. He provides a list that is to make up our battle uniform. We are to put on truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation and the word of God. Surrounded with these things, we are to “stand fast … praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:14, 18).
So, according to Paul, the great soldier of the Gospel, we are to focus on the righteousness God has for us rather than the evil coming against us at the hands of the enemy of our souls. When we’ve done that, we are to stand firm in our faith, no matter the temptation that may come to us, knowing that we are fully clad in the armor of God.
Finally, we have to keep this one thing in mind: The battle belongs to the Lord and is not dependent on our ability. In 2 Chronicles, chapter 20, we find a prime example of our place in God’s battle plan. The children of Israel were in trouble because of their enemies who surrounded them. The king, being a person of God, went to prayer plead their cause before the Lord. God said, “Do not be afraid or dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15). He then went on to tell the king exactly what he and the people were to do. “Get ready, position yourselves, and stand still. You will go out to battle but you need not lift a finger for the Lord is with you” (20:17-18 my paraphrase).
And what was the result of the people adopting God’s battle plan? “Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes ….” (20:22). Now, if more encouragement is needed, go back and read the story of the so-called battle of Jericho. They enemies of God were defeated as the people simply walked around the city in obedience and faith. Move on to the time of Gideon when the Lord told Gideon to take the three hundred men he’d provided and go up against the thousands of Midianites camped nearby. Without so much as a single weapon, the Israelites defeated their enemies. Instead of swords and spears, they used faith to win the battle.
Too often we are tempted to think the enemy of our souls has the upper hand and the fight is nearly over. When those times of discouragement come, let us go back to the Word and allow the Lord to remind us “The battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15).
Now go take on your world. - Bill