12 January

VICTORY THROUGH WARFARE AND PEACE

“For everything there is a season,

a time for every activity under heaven…

A time for war and a time for peace.”

                                                (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 8b, NLT)

… the Amalekites had made a raid into the Negev and Ziklag; they had crushed Ziklag and burned it to the ground. They had carried off the women and children and everyone else but without killing anyone…                                   Then David asked the Lord, “Should I chase after this band of raiders? Will I catch them?”And the Lord told him, “Yes, go after them. You will surely recover everything that was taken from you!”                                                      (1 Samuel 30:1-2, 8, NLT)

He [Jesus] did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.”

(1 Peter 2:23, NLT)

David prayed, received an answer, acted and recovered all and even more.  Victory came through physical warfare but on God’s instruction. More often than not, the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:3-6). We must not be fearful Christians but bold, strong and courageous soldiers of Christ, not afraid to face any battle. We must fight but settle it first in the spiritual; we must get wisdom and direction before we take any action.
There comes a time or situation where fighting back may not be God’s will. If Jesus had fought back during His arrest, trial and crucifixion, we would have lost our opportunity for eternal salvation! The greater battles are fought through quietness and peace, “on our knees”, with total trust in God. This gives greater and more permanent victories. Sure, our non-physical weapons are lethal in effect. However, a basic condition for victory is our complete obedience to the Power behind these weapons.

 
ACTION:  Do you have a difficult neighbour? In your own interest, visit him or her with a gift in this new year; else, you may continue to have a raised blood pressure each time you see him or her.

PRAYER: Father God, make me sensitive to know when to fight back and when to keep quiet in peace. Help me always to fight my battles first in the place of prayer. I put on your whole armour, O God, that I may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil, in Jesus’ name. Amen.