15/02/2013 - DO NOT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE

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So the LORD was with Judah. And they drove out the mountaineers, but they could not drive out the inhabitants of the lowland, because they had chariots of iron.

Judges 1:19

For several times God’s people heard that the battle was the Lord’s. Joshua had considered the work done when, in fact, there was still plenty of land to conquer. If the Almighty was with Judah, what prevented those people from fulfilling the command completely? Make sure you obey everything you are told. The chariots of iron or any other modern man-made artifact should not be obstacles for those who have faith. Therefore, strive to not make the same or worse mistakes.

The inhabitants of Judah knew very well that the Lord was a Man of war so if God was with them, why didn’t they do the entire work? However, before we judge the leaders of God’s people, the tribe of Praise and the entire nation, let us ponder on this: we are probably making the same mistake – failing to fight the good fight (II Timothy 4:7). But we should not let it happen because many members of our family haven’t still gone through the new birth experience.

If there was still plenty of land to be conquered, why did Joshua consider the work done? Drawing a parallel between our own lives, why don’t we fast more often, why don’t we attend prayer gatherings, why don’t we strive in faith as we did in the past? Doesn’t God have anything to accomplish in us? Why has secular behavior taken hold of so many Christians? How many of them have yielded to filthy practices? Wouldn’t it all be works of the devil?

If God was indeed with Judah, what kept him from fulfilling the commandment in its entirety? This is the attitude many Christians have as they grow old. Caleb said that despite the fact that he was 85 years old his strength had not changed (Joshua 14:10). Where are those who, one day, believed in the Lord and did wonders? In our present days, we have focused on being religious and sinners.

The biggest mistake anyone can make is to not obey a commandment. As a result, the devil settles in the disobedient heart and the individual becomes carnal and corrupted both morally and spiritually. The signs of fall in this person’s life present themselves, for example, in the kind of clothes he or she starts to wear, in the attachment to worldly things and in the lack of interest in consecrating his/her life. Then the altar of the Lord becomes a place of fear, not love.

Why did the people of Judah let the iron chariots fill them with fear? Why do we allow laws or threats to frighten us? Where are the “Pauls” and “Silas” who are not afraid of being flogged in public nor sing hymns to the Lord in jail? Their celebration triggered an earthquake in the prison and the jailer and his family were saved (Acts 16:31).

How many of you have learned by being steadfast in faith that it is worth obeying God? What does your family say about your faith? What opinion of your life does your spouse have? Beware of your actions because, without realizing it, you may be making the same mistake Judah made, and it definitely does not please God. Trust in the Almighty and complete the work He has entrusted to you!

In Christ with love,

R. R. Soares