22 January 2014 - battle school
The world tries to paralyze us with fear.
“You cannot go up against this Philistine and fight with him,
for you are only a youth, while he has been a warrior from his youth.”
There are many good works which God has prepared for us to do. But the world is all to willing to provide reasons we should be afraid to undertake them. It shows us a cost balance analysis that always comes out in favor of staying in our comfort zones. They reasons usually aren't as dramatic as the risk of death. We are often afraid to speak up, afraid that we we look ignorant or bigoted. Let the courage of David inspire us. It isn't about his youth. It isn't about the weapons it his disposal. It is all about the fact that the LORD is with him.
David answered him:
“You come against me with sword and spear and scimitar,
but I come against you in the name of the LORD of hosts,
the God of the armies of Israel that you have insulted.
The LORD often works this way. He doesn't want his might to be confused with our strength. He wants to show the world that he is the God who saves.
All this multitude, too,
shall learn that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves.
For the battle is the LORD’s and he shall deliver you into our hands.”
The LORD is preparing us for battle. It is not a battle with flesh and blood. It is against the principalities, the powers, and the world rulers of this present darkness (cf. Eph. 6:12). We must come to him for training. We must empty our cups so that he can fill us. We must learn in his battle school to rely on his strength and not our own. He will teach us this in small ways first so that when we enter into larger battles we can be steadfast in trust.
Blessed be the LORD, my rock,
who trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war.
We can't let the pressures of the world prevent us from bringing the healing which God desires to unleash. We see the resistance to the kingdom and our resolve is strengthened, not challenged, as is our compassion for those whose hearts are still hardened:
Looking around at them with anger
and grieved at their hardness of heart,
No longer moved by fear and self doubt God uses us to bring his healing touch into the world.
Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.”
He stretched it out and his hand was restored.
Let the courage of David by our model in going forth on this day to challenge the destruction of unborn life. Let his courage inspire us to step outside of our comfort zones in this week of Christian unity to pursue the oneness which God desires us to have. And may we glory in the victory which comes from him alone.
O God, I will sing a new song to you;
with a ten-stringed lyre I will chant your praise,
You who give victory to kings,
and deliver David, your servant from the evil sword.
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