PREPARE FOR WAR!
“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. When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. He shall say: “Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them.” Deut.20:1-3(NIV)
God had asked the Israelites to enter their Land of Promise and dispossess the current inhabitants. But these were going to be nations stronger than them, more equipped and larger in number than the Israelites. Knowing that this would appear a rather tall order and constitute a problem as they marched out to engage these fierce Canaanite armies, God gave them regulations concerning their warfare.
No matter the odds and no matter how insurmountable things looked, the first thing God told them was “DO NOT BE AFRAID.” Once you allow fear to grip your heart you’ve already lost the battle. God told them why they didn’t need to be afraid. It was simply that He was going to be with them. The promise of God’s presence was the key. It is the same with us today. We must carry the presence of God with us into the battles of life. His presence gives us the assurance that we can take on any giant.
Life in a real world means that people will constantly rise up against us. There will be all sorts of attacks. There will be constant opposition and the enemy will always attempt to distract and derail us from the purposes of God. But no matter what people may plot against you, their assaults cannot stop God’s plan. Their poison will not stop God’s purpose. God told Israel not to be terrified, not to panic, that He would be there to give them victory. God is bigger than any attack, God is stronger than any weapon formed against us and God is infinitely wiser than any adversary we may face. If God’s Presence is with you, then your victory is certain!
NEXT STEPS
The key to each battle was that the priest was there to hear from God and come forward to address the people. It was the priest who received revelation from God concerning every situation.
Today, as a child of God, you are a priest. It means God has given you access directly into His presence and you can receive revelation for every situation. It means you can find assurance and comfort in knowing that God is with you.
God has promised never to leave you or forsake you and the promise of His Presence carries with it the promise of His protection and preservation. This is the season to cultivate the Presence of God.
SONG
♬Holy Spirit You Are Welcome Here by Kim Walker Smith
FURTHER STUDY
Numbers 14:41-45 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+14%3A41-45&version=NIV
1 Peter 2: 9 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Pet.+2%3A9&version=NIV
