01/11/2016 - DAY OF SHAME IN ISRAEL

• 
• 
• 
• 

When the men of Israel saw that they were in danger (for the people were distressed), then the people hid in caves, in thickets, in rocks, in holes, and in pits. 1 Samuel 13.6

If you do not prepare yourself to serve the Lord you may make shameful decisions for yourself and your community. If you turn back in the middle of the battles, God will not be pleased with you. What happened to the Israelites against the Philistines was very nasty, because they ran away distressed even though they were armed by the Most High to fight His battles. This is not good!

The enemy does not have mercy, and when he decides to attack, he acts with his full capacity. However, this should mean nothing for us, because even though all hell may rise against our lives, the Spirit of the Lord will establish His banner against him, and so the enemy will flee. Stay firm in the Word that the Most High has sent you, for in it you will find the power you need to make you become a special victorious warrior.

It is necessary to be prepared, according to the Scriptures, to not allow the evil one make you retreat, which would be shameful for God and your brethren. When the battle comes, the devil will tempt you by using the Word, as he did with Jesus. You must be in the divine will, so that you may know what to answer, like Jesus did, and so you will undo the attempts of the enemy. Do not be defeated by any of the enemy’s lies, but defeat him based on what is written.

Saul was glad with Jonathan’s victory over the Philistines, and so he ordered to spread the news throughout all the country. After all, the Israelites wanted to be delivered from their enemies’ oppression for a long time (1 Sm  13.3,4). However, it was necessary, in first place, to teach the war techniques to the Israelites, because they should know what powerful tools God was giving them, otherwise they would retreat; therefore they should fight until they achieved victory. 

We must be careful not to wage the Lord’s battles in any way, without using people that are already mature in the faith. When the battle is on its climax, those who do not know God will turn back. Therefore, those who know in whom they trust will not pay attention to the devil, and thus, will be victorious and will set the captives free from Satan. This is our daily fight that we must always be victorious.

The Israelites found the most absurd places to hide, even in the pits of the earth (v. 6,7). Battles are not won with loud noises, but with faith in the only and true God. Whoever is not firm in Him, trembles, and then seeks to save their own skin. However, those who wage the Lord’s battles do not have to save any skin, for nothing or no one will be capable of harming them. Hallelujah!

Rehoboam lost a large part of his kingdom because he did not prepare himself to serve the Most High. In the same way, those who do not increase their Biblical knowledge also see part of their “kingdom” be lost. Always be aware that the Lord is the one who goes ahead of you.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares