20/08/2021 - READY FOR WAR

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Among all these soldiers there were seven hundred select troops who were left-handed, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss. Judges 20.16

The preparation of an Israelite was arduous, for the survival of the people depended on it. They could not play with the nation´s safety, because in those days it was customary to invade a territory at harvest time, to appropriate the food that had been harvested – among other reasons. Likewise, we need to give spiritual training to the saved, so that Hell doesn’t carry out its plan on them or on us.

The verse we are studying tells us that there were 700 chosen men in Benjamin, who were left-handed and experts in throwing a stone and hitting a hair. Only the Lord knows how long they trained and how many tried, but could not achieve such a feat. You can see that they were serious about training for war. Otherwise, being a small country, they would be enslaved by the bigger ones.

Today, this is also a matter of survival. We need to teach the new convert to prepare himself to pray the prayer of faith. Paul said that we have a war to fight (Ephesians 6:12), and battles take place all the time. However, if we are ready, when the enemy attacks us with some marital, family, financial or health problem, we will defeat him.

Let us also remember this admonition from the apostle to the Gentiles: Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth (2 Timothy 2.15). We are to fight the battles of the Lord, but if we don’t fight them legitimately, we will have failed even if the devil runs away, because – he often does this, so that we continue in error and pay the price. 

The Word speaks of white clothes: Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil (Ecclesiastes 9.8). Those who only see results are wrong, not militating properly, for so says the Lord: Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. (2 Timothy 2.5). If you go against the Word, the much-applauded victory can be a hindrance to your coronation.

The work cannot be done in any way, with ulterior motives. Now, the devil wants your destruction. He is capable of simulating a resistance in order not to leave someone, saying that you can’t cast him out because you are in sin, this being true. So, in front of people, you are filled with hatred and command him with all your strength to leave, and the tempter “obeys” you. The fact that you have “cast out” the devil will deceive you and will make you consider that your case is justifiable. Stay alert and pray!

Understand the commandments and live them! Don’t let any sin dwell in your heart. Confess them to God and when you feel forgiven, wait for the joy that will invade your interior. Practice your faith with awe and prudence, because the enemy is extremely cunning, especially when he wants to deceive the saved. Be wise!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares