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Battle Ready


SHINY4UJESUS

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BATTLE READY

( STUDY OF JUDGES 7:1-22 )

 

"Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all the strategies and tricks of the devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. Use EVERY piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle, you will still be standing firm." + EPHESIANS 6:11-13+

 

Most of us have probably heard the saying, "Fight fire with fire," but the redundancy of this is illustrated in our approach towards the spiritual battles we face at times. Do you know what happens more often than not when you add fire to an already thriving fire? You simply have more fire, likely a bit hotter; it cannot possibly quench that fire. Just the same, we are at war folks; so we must resist, we must fight, we must stand ground. There is armor to protect against attacks, and a sword capable of severing chains and slaying demons; let us always be aware, be prepared, and be equipped.

Our enemy is the king of the suckerpunch, master of the blindside hit, and champion of the low blow. He knows when we are weak, where we are weak, and will hit us whenever we are not looking. He will hit us where it hurts, he will kick us while we are down, and he will pour salt in the wound. Yet we must know not only what weapon to use, but how to properly wield the word of God. Truly it is called a double edged sword; because if handled improperly it can be just as sharp to the one wielding it.

The enemy will not hold back in his desire to steal, kill and destroy. Satan is a tricky, deceptive, cunning sort; and he often wraps an ugly sin in a pretty package. If there is any way, he will attack us in a manner that leaves us oblivious to the fact we are under attack and slowly "bleeding," out-spiritually. For our enemy; this is a war without rules, warning, parley or surrender. Since our enemy has already lost his war, his only recourse is to take as many down with him as he can manage. We must recognize the nature of the battle; and know that harming us is the only attack he has that can impact God. Every bit of sorrow, pain, loneliness, hurt, hate, sin or suffering he can cause us; is a blow to the heart of a Father who shares in all our sufferings. Satan is jealous of our elevated status with God, as His children; and will continue to do evil per his nature until the appointed time.

Let us consider the bull and the matador for a moment. The matador uses the red cloth to instigate an angry reaction, causing the bull to charge headlong into an attack it did not see coming. As soon as the bull is near, the cloth is yanked away, and the matador slices into the bull with a sword. Each cut hurts, and bleeds, but individually they aren't a critical danger. However, as the bull charges again and again it becomes blind to all but instinctive rage; slowly bleeding out as gash after gash begin to add up. The bull never sees the sword, because his focus is on the cloth, and his anger has taken over.

Like the bull, we often fail to realize the danger as we charge ahead blindly; oblivious to the tiny spiritual wounds we are taking. Rather than focus on the true danger, we strike at the illusion time and again; lashing out at sin that is dealt with rather than focusing on intention. In order to avoid this cycle from continuing, we must grasp two fundamental concepts. First we must know the nature of the battle in order to discern the nature of the attacks. Second, we must understand how we are to respond.

In JUDGES 7:1-7 we see how God uses simple illustrations in His selection of those He wills to battle on behalf of God, Gideon and Israel. The soldiers are tested in two key areas...faith, and dilligence/awareness; though it's not immediately apparent. Let us consider these tests and try to grasp the symbolism and tactical purpose. There are key aspects to the dynamic of spiritual warfare that are worth grasping here, so let us dig deeper than the surface. Let us grasp the principles buried between the lines.

The first test seems a simple test of courage, but it's truly a test of faith. God has Gideon gather Israel and, ( as the NIV translation says,) instructs him that anyone who is OVERCOME with fear, may be sent home. Two thirds of the soldiers left, fearing the threat to their lives and health as more critical than obedience in spite of fear. It has been said that courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability and willingness to persevere; to continue on in spite of it. It is one thing to be afraid, for we are human, we are weak, and we stumble at times. It is a whole different monster when we allow the fear to dictate our focus or our response. The idea is to have enough faith in God that no fear is greater than our trust in Him; regardless how things seem to the naked eye.

 

" If you try to keep your life for yourself you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life." + MATTHEW 17:25+

 

We are furthermore told not to fear the one who can destroy our earthly body but rather fear God: who has ultimate control over our souls. You see the ones overcome with fear, feared man and the loss of their own lives more than they feared displeasing God. The ones who stayed likely also experienced fear, but didn't allow it to overcome their faith in God. The former wanted to keep ahold of their lives; the latter were willing to lay theirs down if it was God's will. Come hell or high water, they were determined to stay the course; even against impossible odds and certain death.

Sometimes as believers we can grow attached to displaying our faith and committment zealously, however when we are given a heavy cost of sacrifice we might find that our faith isn't as solid as we believed. I must pause and thank our Father, God almighty and our Lord Jesus Christ; for greater is He who is in us than he that is in the world. Even if our hearts condemn us He is faithful, and He is greater than our hearts. Father has always been a God that redeems and delivers his children; and has already won the ultimate battle thanks in no small part to our Lord and Savior Jesus! So maybe we can afford to risk that He truly loves us enough that we will not sink regardless of the waves washing up against us.

The second test God has Gideon employ is in dilligence; a driven focus and awareness. In JUDGES 7:5-7 the Spirit reveals a critical concept, and it's important we grasp the true nature and scope of our battles. He instructs Gideon to have everyone go and drink from the nearby waters; telling him to send everyone home who bent down to the water to drink. Only 300 Israelite soldiers remained to face a force of tens of thousands; all because they cupped the water and brought it up to their mouths. So God tells Gideon, by those very 300 He would deliver Midian into Israel's hand.

Father is aware that we have basic human needs while we live on earth; but whether we are eating, drinking, playing, praying, working, competing, tilling, or seeding....we STILL must be aware of the battle around us. Those who bent down to the water showed that they would be vulnerable to ambush, because they took their eyes off the more critical task and turned their back to the enemy. Those who cupped water and lifted it to their mouths could still see in full range of vision, and would be able to spot an enemy attack coming. They could mount a defense and prepare a counter-attack. It's better than a knife in the back when you're certain you're "safe".

Once the final 300 were set, and Gideon had received a vision overnight reaffirming God's promise to deliver Israel; Father added a final twist to the battle plan. Gideon was told to arm the men with a lantern in one hand, and a trumpet in the other. They are outnumbered 10,000 to 1 basically, and the enemy is armed to the hilt with weapons that are made only to take life. I can't help but feel convicted here, because it's hard to be confident I would have had that kind of conviction and faith. A lantern and a trumpet-light and sound.

In the beginning of John's gospel we find that, '' In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God; and that the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us...,''. The trumpet is symbolic of one primary thing here: the Word of God. In Hebrews we learn that the Word of God is sharper than any double edged sword; capable of piercing through bone and marrow, capable of "Piercing to the division of soul and spirit," and "Able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart." This is the primary weapon that we use to defeat a spiritual enemy. Please recall if you will Jesus' period of temptation; did He not use written Word in response to satan's attacks? The Word is a powerful and living resource and needs to be ready at hand.

The Word of God isn't our primary weapon for one reason alone though; because the Word made flesh, the Word that lived, died, and shed His blood for us is the edge to any sword worth its weight. It is this very message of hope by faith in Him, by grace; that shatters chains, moves mountains and sets souls free. Jesus, whether in written form through the scriptures; or the Word made flesh, is our first defense, our first offense, and our last and final hope. Thank God Almighty that Jesus made that hope an assurance, not a gamble.

Jesus was the light of the world while He was here, and the message of Christ IS LIGHT; it is love, peace, grace, mercy, hope and so much more. He called US the light of the world, because He knew He would ascend and return to dwell within us by the Holy Spirit. The message of the cross, the message of Christ isn't simply a story, it's a daily surrender that results in reflecting the character and compassion of Jesus. The lantern here symbolizes the specific message of Christ; who He is, what He did, and sharing this gift of grace to others in actions as well as words.

This was the game changing victorious deathblow to the enemy's plans. We do well to remember that while spoken Word is powerful, living and reflecting the light of Jesus is not only powerful; it shows a truly sincere heart regardless what the mouth says. If you haven't noticed, there are some hearts that are harder than others; those hearts tend to respond negatively if we simply "bible thump," scripture at them. This is because the sword is powerful and sharp, and the mere spoken presence of the Word can bring significant spiritual conviction. Sadly, it's easy for a person to confuse that sense of conviction with a feeling of condemnation, causing them to rebel and reject.

Where matters of the heart are concerned, swinging a sword is a clumsy manner to sever bonds; with these hearts we must be more delicate, and precise. This is where we must reflect the type of love, patience, grace, compassion, and mercy Jesus tasked us to. It is this simple, warm, gentle light of Christ that chisels away on the hardness of hearts. The most powerful christian witness is simply showing love, kindness, and compassion. THAT is light.

I promise you, the passion and sincerity of our hearts will greatly dictate how clearly the light will shine. Sin is covered by the blood, once surrendered; but God has given us free will, so it is on us as believers to determine the state of our hearts. If our heart is not sincere, then in our zeal we add only layers of stain to the lantern's glass, and the light is dimmed-sometimes cut off. Let's keep our weapons sharp, else we will find ourselves ill equipped when pressed.

 

In the end, Gideon and his troops staged an epic attack while still dark. While most of the Midianites slept, the rest pretty much blind in the darkness, and nobody expecting attack; Israel struck. Thunderous trumpet blasts erupted from seemingly everywhere in the valley, because the blasts echoed off the mountain walls and valley floor. Israel had picked a tactically superior position to utilize even the acoustics to confuse the enemy as it began to panic. The attackers were nowhere to be seen; yet sounding as if they were everywhere. Israel's soldiers broke open their lamps, and fires broke out all along the rim of the mountains the Midianites set camp under; giving the impression they were completely surrounded by a larger force.

The Midianites were in complete chaos, many killing their own fellows in the dark confusion and frantic hope to escape. This allowed the Israelites to make quick work of the larger force; but it was due to the hand of God, not the effort of man. God has a pretty big game plan, and He has a strategy as well as a tactical purpose. For most, there will inevitably be times we simply don't understand God's reasons; but that doesn't mean we have to give in to the voice that tells us we cannot trust unless we know. State of the heart folks. Intention.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, I praise God in heaven for your faith, dilligence, dedication and truly sacrificial commitment. I thank Jesus for his priceless gift. I pray that Father will speak to us all as only HE can....deeply, intimately, personally. I pray that His name be elevated above all others. And I pray He will lead believers to study and meditate on the scriptures, that the Lord may reveal His will to all.

 

In Jesus precious name we pray...AMEN!!

 

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We always need to be ready.

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