08/03/2011 - The Lord’s our commander

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“Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, “Who shall be first to go up for us against the Canaanites to fight against them?” (Judges 1:1)
We’d surely be guided by the Lord and we’d never lose any battle at all if we asked Him what to do before making any decision – just like the people of Israel did after their leader’s death. My brother, temptations are real and the enemy’s behind all of them and he’s the one who’s aiming at stealing, murdering and devastating us (John 10: 10 a). So, we’ve got to watch out not to let him get close to us; yet, unfortunately, we’ve been behaving like those who feel pleasure in fooling around with sin. Listen! We’ve got to pay heed to the voice of the Lord which warns us on the devil’s plans against us as he’s around roaring like a lion (I Peter 5: 8).
Joshua learned a lot with Moses; he walked with him for decades and he was chosen by God Himself to become the successor of that great servant of the Lord. Joshua received wonderful promises from the mouth of the Most High; yet, he passed away like any other human being. Now, Israel had enough knowledge in those days not to behave like birds which fly with no direction and end up caught up in traps whenever they hear a burst. On the contrary, the Israelites gathered in an assembly to pray to the Most High and ask Him for guidance.
We’d be instructed by the Lord and we wouldn’t stumble if we prayed before making any decision. Listen! Temptations can only put down those who think they’re strong by themselves; those who behave like that Pharisee mentioned by Jesus in one of His parables (Luke 18: 9-14), he deemed he was better than any other men. Now those who behave like the publican – the one who was justified as he prayed asking for mercy – know very well they need the divine mercy and they beg for it indeed.
Don’t fool around with temptation; you’ve got the power to say “no” to it. You’re the one who’s got to resist the devil and he’ll run away if you do that (James 4: 7). Yet, you’ll surely get burnt if you play with fire just like it happened to David who could’ve said “no” to temptation; he could’ve stopped looking at Bathe-Sheba having a shower but he didn’t. Remember, you’re not stronger than our beloved King so don’t get involved with sin, after all, Satan’s seductive power is in it to take you to the filthy site of evil. The sins you’re tempted to make have nothing to do with the love that Christians must feel for each other; the family love and the love friends feel for each other as well; those temptations are the worst hell has orchestrated to take you to its filthiest basements.
Now, before God say “no” to temptation and be determined not to enjoy sin any longer. Those who’ve reached the limit will fall in the pit if they take one step forward. Resist the devil and he’ll flee along with all of his devilish plans. Begin right away to ask the Most High for guidance whatever the circumstances. You’re privileged; you belong to the Kingdom of the Lord, It’s come to you, but don’t forget that Jesus is the Commander!
In Christ, with love,
R. R. Soares