Deuteronomy 20:1-9
1 When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. 2 When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. 3 He shall say: "Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. 4 For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."
5 The officers shall say to the army: "Has anyone built a new house and not dedicated it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else may dedicate it. 6 Has anyone planted a vineyard and not begun to enjoy it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else enjoy it. 7 Has anyone become pledged to a woman and not married her? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else marry her." 8 Then the officers shall add, "Is any man afraid or fainthearted? Let him go home so that his brothers will not become disheartened too." 9 When the officers have finished speaking to the army, they shall appoint commanders over it.
.. This whole passage reminds me of the need to be ready for any battle we face.
.. In my observation, I see that there is a great need to settle things in the "home" first [whether literal home, or basically personal matters] before "going to battle"
.. A lot of times the battles that we face in life are mostly greater than us - meaning, if we aren't trusting God, we cannot win the battle at all. Only through Him we will be able to win the battle because only HE IS ABLE and will enable us to win.
.. If we aren't prepared to go to battle [not dealing with the stuff at "home" first] it's possible that someone will end up enjoying it rather than us whom it [the "home"] rightfully belongs.
// PRACTICAL:
.. I gotta deal with my own "home" stuff first before I minister to others. Not that I have not, but I gotta make sure this is always done first or someone else might enjoy it or do it instead of me or anyone in the home.
[ie. Today, I just told the kids - doy, poy, and aubs - that I want to read a chapter of Proverbs a day for this month and I will keep them accountable for it. I am responsible for their growth as well. And while I spend time with them daily, picking them up, I might as well use that time to minister to them as well.]
.. I gotta be ready to fight the battles and not be afraid because I know the Lord is with me and will enable me to fight. I gotta do my part as well. Trusting in Him and letting Him do what He wills to do in my life. Trust and Obey!
// Lord, thank you for always reminding me what's most important in my life. I pray that you will help me fulfill my duties. Help me not to be afraid in dealing with the battles in life - though they may seem so big, I pray that I will trust in You - a BIG GOD who is able to do things greater than I can imagine. I will trust and obey You, Lord. In Jesus' name, amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment