July 6th 2014
Are We Free Enough To Permit God To Win Our Battles Too?
2 Chronicles 20:21-22, 24-25 (NLT)
After consulting the leaders of the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the LORD and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: "Give thanks to the LORD; his faithful love endures forever!" At the moment they began to sing and give praise, the LORD caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.
So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, there were dead bodies lying on the ground for as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped. King Jehoshaphat and his men went out to gather the plunder. They found vast amounts of equipment, clothing, and other valuables—more than they could carry. There was so much plunder that it took them three days just to collect it all!
In this story the Israelites were facing a huge army, and they did not know how they could defeat them. The Lord had told them not to fear going into battle, because He told them it was not their battle but His. As they started praising the Lord their enemies started fighting among themselves! When they arrived at the point where they could see their enemies, they instead saw the victory God had given them. With the battle won, all they had to do was collect the plunder.
A few days ago we again celebrated Independence Day, and while we are still celebrating, please remember all of our armed forces who are deployed around this world. Ask for God’s protection for them, as they defend freedom for us. Then God gives us a difficult task to do. Jesus told us to pray for our enemies too! You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? (Luke 5:43-46)
As we again celebrate our country’s independence it is important to understand why we are proud of being independent. As an individual we may be proud of being independent too! The question we all must answer is; from what are we trying to be free? Can there really be freedom in your life, if you do not have God in your life to share your battles? Do you allow God to win your battles for you, or do you demand, “I’d rather do it myself?” When we were very young, we likely decided to do everything for ourselves, as most two year olds do. Have you ever outgrown that impulse?
Wanting to do everything for ourselves is a childlike approach to life, as it does not allow us to take good advice, and it may cause us to even shutout God. Paul gave some good advice to the church at Corinth about being childish. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:11-13 (NIV)) Being childlike can be cute, but being childish, never is!
As followers of Jesus we are told we need to be different than those who do not choose to follow Him. One big difference, the one that allows us the freedom to even pray for our enemies, is that we are always looking forward to the future knowing that true freedom awaits us. There will be a time when Jesus Himself will come back to this earth and lead us in victory. He already won the battle to save our soul, and to therefore, spend eternity with Him. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord for ever. Therefore encourage each other with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (NIV)
Celebrating our countries independence is a good thing to do, but being too independent is not such a good thing. So exercise the freedom this country currently affords, and wait patiently for the Lord’s return. In the meantime be happy with your freedom to still be allowed to worship God in a church of your choice. Most importantly, remember that our freedom is not assured by our armed forces, but just as in the selected verses, it is contingent upon God. He will allow this country to continue to be free only as long as we continue to sing His praises. Therefore during this time of celebration, remember to “sing to the LORD and praise him for his holy splendor.” Remember those Israelites who sang, "Give thanks to the LORD; his faithful love endures forever!"
His faithful love endures forever, now that sounds like long term freedom!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
2 Chronicles 20:21-22, 24-25 (NLT)
After consulting the leaders of the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the LORD and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: "Give thanks to the LORD; his faithful love endures forever!" At the moment they began to sing and give praise, the LORD caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.
So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, there were dead bodies lying on the ground for as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped. King Jehoshaphat and his men went out to gather the plunder. They found vast amounts of equipment, clothing, and other valuables—more than they could carry. There was so much plunder that it took them three days just to collect it all!
In this story the Israelites were facing a huge army, and they did not know how they could defeat them. The Lord had told them not to fear going into battle, because He told them it was not their battle but His. As they started praising the Lord their enemies started fighting among themselves! When they arrived at the point where they could see their enemies, they instead saw the victory God had given them. With the battle won, all they had to do was collect the plunder.
A few days ago we again celebrated Independence Day, and while we are still celebrating, please remember all of our armed forces who are deployed around this world. Ask for God’s protection for them, as they defend freedom for us. Then God gives us a difficult task to do. Jesus told us to pray for our enemies too! You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? (Luke 5:43-46)
As we again celebrate our country’s independence it is important to understand why we are proud of being independent. As an individual we may be proud of being independent too! The question we all must answer is; from what are we trying to be free? Can there really be freedom in your life, if you do not have God in your life to share your battles? Do you allow God to win your battles for you, or do you demand, “I’d rather do it myself?” When we were very young, we likely decided to do everything for ourselves, as most two year olds do. Have you ever outgrown that impulse?
Wanting to do everything for ourselves is a childlike approach to life, as it does not allow us to take good advice, and it may cause us to even shutout God. Paul gave some good advice to the church at Corinth about being childish. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:11-13 (NIV)) Being childlike can be cute, but being childish, never is!
As followers of Jesus we are told we need to be different than those who do not choose to follow Him. One big difference, the one that allows us the freedom to even pray for our enemies, is that we are always looking forward to the future knowing that true freedom awaits us. There will be a time when Jesus Himself will come back to this earth and lead us in victory. He already won the battle to save our soul, and to therefore, spend eternity with Him. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord for ever. Therefore encourage each other with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (NIV)
Celebrating our countries independence is a good thing to do, but being too independent is not such a good thing. So exercise the freedom this country currently affords, and wait patiently for the Lord’s return. In the meantime be happy with your freedom to still be allowed to worship God in a church of your choice. Most importantly, remember that our freedom is not assured by our armed forces, but just as in the selected verses, it is contingent upon God. He will allow this country to continue to be free only as long as we continue to sing His praises. Therefore during this time of celebration, remember to “sing to the LORD and praise him for his holy splendor.” Remember those Israelites who sang, "Give thanks to the LORD; his faithful love endures forever!"
His faithful love endures forever, now that sounds like long term freedom!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
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