Who Will Order The Battle?
"Then he said, Who shall order the battle?' And He answered, Thou'. "I Kings 20:14.
This statement was made in reference to a battle between Israel and the Syrians who had been bitter rivals for many years. Benhadad was the Syrian king and Ahab was king of Israel. When a prophet ordered Ahab not to fear to go into battle, Ahab asked the question of the text, "Who shall order the battle?" The reply was, "Thou."
Today, you and I are facing a battle. "The battle is the Lord's." But, we ask, who shall be the general in command? Who shall command the battle? The same answer given to Ahab comes ringing in our ears, "Thou." Yes, YOU must command the battle of your life. You are a free agent with the responsibility of choice.
There are many opportunities before us for the army of the Lord. How much shall we accomplish in this battle. Look at some of the specific battles that we must fight:
1. Ignorance. Spiritual ignorance is one of the most deadly foes that we encounter in this spiritual warfare. We must arise in battle against it. How? By diligent study on our part and by persistence in telling others about Christ and His way of salvation.
2. Indifference. Actually, this enemy is brought against us by the first enemy, ignorance. To expel indifference we need an arousing determination to do everything possible to serve God acceptably. Zeal for God and God's way will put to rout the enemy of indifference.
3. Worldliness is a constant enemy of God's people. The desire to "be like the nations" manifest itself in too many ways for us to fail to observe its devastating influence on those in the Lord's army. Greater love for God and for the church will help us to win against this monster of worldliness that seeks to lead each disciple astray. John's admonition is greatly needed by all: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. . ." (I John 2:15).
There are only a few of the foes that will face us this year. It behooves each one of us to "put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" and, as true soldiers of the Lord, to fight bravely the battles before us. Can you be depended upon to hold up your segment of the battle? Remember, you order the battle!
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