I am writing this on the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, the summer solstice. This natural event reminds us of a day that was not natural but miraculous when the sun stood still. That day of battle between Israel and the Amorites dramatically displayed the presence, power, and purpose of Jehovah. God fought for Israel that day against five kings and “routed them before Israel” (Josh. 10:10). The Lord also “cast down large hailstones from heaven” against the enemies of His people (Josh. 10:11). As Israel fought, God assured the victory. We look to God for the “power of His might” to overwhelm the strength of Satan, sin, and death (Eph. 6:10; 1 John 3:8; 1 Cor. 15:56-57). He will “never leave you nor forsake you” in your trials and spiritual conflicts against the enemies of righteousness (Heb. 13:5; Rom. 8:35-39). But we must fight the good fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12; Eph. 6:11-17). God, who controls the seasons also fights for His people. He does so, not by miraculously stopping the sun again, but by the daily brilliance of His love, providence, and truth. So, let us put our faith in Him and be victorious (1 John 5:4).
Tag Archives: battle
“Is there not a cause?” #2402
And David said, “What have I done now? Is there not a cause?” (1 Samuel 17:29, NKJV)
The giant’s incredible size loomed over the valley as he hurled his insults toward the armies of Israel. He was a champion among the Philistine warriors, and everyone knew why: he was huge! Several feet taller than the average man, no one could hope to survive hand-to-hand combat with Goliath of Gath. No one, that is, except a youngster named David. Armed with faith in God, David displayed remarkable courage as he first challenged and then defeated the giant. His confrontation with Goliath is an impressive display of faith, courage, conviction, and the victory God gives those who rely on Him (read 1 Samuel 17). David’s brothers scolded him for talking about doing battle against the giant. His response, “Is there not a cause?” resounds today (1 Sam. 17:29). Enemies to the faith exist, the cause for battle remains (2 Cor. 10:3-6). (1) False doctrine is a mighty giant we must battle. Contending for the faith is not fashionable to many Christians, yet the cause exists (Jude 3-4). (2) Worldliness is a formidable giant we must battle. Every day, the world defies the armies of the living God (1 John 2:15-17). (3) Complacency is a dangerous giant we must battle. Apathy is an intimidating opponent we must slay with fervent zeal to do the will of Christ (Heb. 6:11; Rom. 12:11). Faith overcomes evil giants that oppose the living God (1 John 5:4). Christians must fight the good fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12). Take up the whole armor of God and trust God’s victory through the power of Christ (Eph. 6:10-13, 17). Soldiers of Christ, arise. The cause is great, but our God is greater (Rom. 8:37).
Be Strong in the Lord #2126
We need the Lord’s strength to “stand against the wiles of the devil.” We are in a battle over our souls. This fight calls for faith in the Lord’s power instead of ourselves as we struggle “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” And so, let us equip ourselves with “the whole armor of God” (Eph. 6:13-18). The Lord’s armor is tried and true, powerful to defeat our foe. But beware. Our adversary, the devil, will try to use our sense of self-reliance against us, tempting us to believe we can overcome the devil on our own. Do not attempt to go into this battle alone. “The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him” (Psa. 28:7).
The Wall Fell Down Flat #1465
So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city. (Joshua 6:20, NKJV)
God gave Jericho to Israel by His grace (Joshua 6:2, 16). Yet, it was necessary that Israel obey in faith for the city walls to collapse (Joshua 6:3-5). Please notice that while the walls fell by God’s grace, the army of Israel still had to take the city. The edge of the sword was applied to this godless city after the walls fell (Joshua 6:21). Spiritual victories require us to fight to possess the Lord’s victories (Ephesians 6:10-13). We must be militant against the forces of evil to gain the victory of faith (2 Corinthians 10:3-5; 1 John 5:3-4). Today’s passage also reminds us our spiritual battle is right in front of us. We fight the good fight of faith alongside fellow Christians, exhorting and helping one another each day (Hebrews 12:12-13). We do this even as we engage in our own battles against temptation, trials and trouble. By grace through faith, victory in Christ is assured.
Fight the Good Fight of Faith #1402
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:12, NKJV)
June 6, 1944. D-Day was the largest amphibious attack in history. It was a battle for the liberation of Europe and the defeat of tyrannical, dictatorial, murderous oppression. About 156,000 Allied soldiers attacked the German forces on the Normandy beaches of France that day. In less than a week, the beaches were secure, with over 4,000 Allied troops dead and many thousands more wounded. The horror of that battle is tempered only by the victory it would help secure. In less than a year Nazi Germany unconditionally surrendered to the Allied Forces. Christians, we are at war against a spiritual army of wickedness (Ephesians 6:12). The aim of this vile army is the eternal demise of you and every other soul. We must fight more valiantly, endure more bravely and trust more fervently than those brave soldiers did on D-Day. Ours is a battle for eternity. Our victory is assured in Christ as we put on His armor and stand against the devil (1 John 5:4; Ephesians 6:10-17). Onward, Christian soldiers! God has called you this battle and you have confessed your allegiance to Him. Now, fight and lay hold on eternal life!
Contend Earnestly #579
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them. (Proverbs 28:4, NKJV)
There is a battle raging between good and evil. The battle line of this war can be seen by how both good and evil people view God’s law. The wicked reject the rule of God’s law over their lives because they love iniquity. Therefore, the wicked praise others who join them in abandoning God’s law. Evil men will praise you when you join them in their evil. But, those who obey the law of God do not praise evil, they contend against it. Faithful Christians cannot remain silent in the face of evil. We must join Timothy and “wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience” (1 Tim. 1:18-19). The battle against sin must be fought and will be won by the power of the Lord’s strength (Eph. 6:10-17). Jesus fought the battle against evil. His apostles fought the battle against evil. Faithful Christians fight the same battle. The person who refuses to “contend earnestly for the faith” against sin is refusing to love the law of God and the soul of the person who sins against it. Truly, the person who refuses to contend against sinners will be praised by the wicked.
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