War

by

Joshua 11:5 Joined Forces Against Believers

All these kings joined forces and made camp together at the Waters of Merom to fight against Israel. Joshua 11:5

Wars occur on a regular basis all over the world. At times multiple nations will agree to get together to wage war against another nation. The unified front will often give a greater front against the other nation to be able to stop that nation.

Usually when this occurs it is to stop one nation from taking over everyone else. At other times it is to destroy a nation or a group of people that are not wanted.

A group of kings had gathered together to fight against Israel and keep the Israelites from taking the land.

Just as physical wars are occurring around the world, there is also a spiritual war going on. Demonic forces of this fallen world are set on destroying all believers and at any cost.

In some nations these forces are unified as a whole in the nation banning all belief in God. In other nations, such as America, believers have mostly been free to worship and serve God.

Although there has been some freedom, the world is quickly joining forces to rise up against believers. Sin is promoted as good more and more and anyone against sin is considered a hater and wrong. It is no longer just a few against believers, but whole nations.

Every believer must be ready and prepared for spiritual war against his soul. Believers will often be surrounded by those who are against God and His ways. Although the forces of the world are many, the forces of God are greater and more in number with the believer.

No believer needs to be afraid of the enemy knowing that God is for him and will fight the battle for him.

The world is rising up as a unified front against you. They want to get you to sin against God in whatever way possible. The temptations to sin will come from nearly every angle and location around you.

Do not fear those dark forces but put your focus upon God and trust Him. Know that you are on the winning side and God will give you strength to destroy the attacks of the enemy in your life.

Be willing to destroy the temptations to sin that rise up in your life. Do not entertain them or let those temptations live.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that God will open your eyes to the temptations that come your way; that you will trust God in the battle for your soul; and that God will remove all fear of the enemy.

by

Deuteronomy 20:1 Going Into Battle

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. Deuteronomy 20:1

Wars are occurring on a regular basis all around the world. While some are wars with actual guns and bombs, many are wars of emotions, intellect, standards or other such things against self, others or organizations.

Often one side can appear very large and overwhelming to the other. Choices of to battle or not are often made based on the size of both groups.

Moses told the Israelites that when they go to war against an enemy that is larger than they are, they are not to be afraid because God, who brought them out of Egypt, is with them.

Outside of fighting in the military most people will never have to face and enemy with physical guns and bombs going against them. However, everyone who is a believer will still have enemies to face.

These enemies will be friends, family members, co-workers, neighbors or other people they meet, along with society as a whole and spiritual forces working against them. The world is against the believer and will often do whatever it takes to try and take him down.

Looking at the enemies of God in the world, they appear to have better weapons and are greater in number. Some believers will back down from the battle out of fear of the over looming enemy, forgetting the battles God has already won for them.

Instead of fearing the enemy, one needs to remember the battles God has already won in his life, especially the battle over sin and death and go forward into battle. The enemy may inflict injury, but he cannot destroy the soul as God can. God is greater than the enemy.

As a believer, you will have many enemies rise up against you. The world is out to stop you and will do what it can to bring about that accomplishment.

Regardless of how large and powerful the enemy may appear to be, God is greater. Jesus has already defeated sin and death and will be able to defeat your enemy.

Do not allow yourself to fear the enemy but put your trust in God to help you win the battle. He brought you this far to not let you be destroyed.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will remember the battles God has won in your life; that God will strengthen you to remove all fear of the enemy; and that you will see God win the battles against the enemies of your soul.

by

Exodus 13:17 A Different Route On Purpose

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” Exodus 13:17

When a person is traveling a long distance, he usually wants to go by the shortest and fastest route possible. This is due to the desire to get to the desired location as quickly as possible.

GPS systems will often show the shortest and fastest route possible. However, some will also recalculate when there is something in the way to slow down the travel. Very few people like to be rerouted.

God chose to lead the Israelites a different route than the shortest way, so that they would not have to face war and get discouraged and give up, going back to Egypt and captivity.

Life is a journey that every person must take. People are often searching for the fastest way to get to their final destination. They are searching for shortcuts to getting wealthy, strong, or some other desired reward.

While shortcuts may look good, often they contain troubles that are not worth it. Some of those troubles are immediate, while others don’t show up for a longer period of time.

The journey of a believer is one in which he is becoming more like Jesus and building God’s kingdom here on this earth. God knows exactly what each believer needs in the moment and what route to take him to get what is needed at the right time.

It is easy for one to get discouraged when God reroutes and goes a different path than expected. However, the believer must trust that God knows what is best. He sees the dangers that lie ahead and knows how to move around them, taking the least dangerous path.

God has a goal to make you more like Jesus and to get you to the promised land, heaven. This journey will be one of dangers and struggles, but it will be the best route possible.

You have a choice as to whether to trust God’s leading or to take your own little detours. Detours can lead you back into sin and captivity, while God’s path will lead to victory and the promised land.

Be willing to take the path God has for you. He is your ultimate GPS in this life.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will go the direction God leads you; that you will trust in God’s leading your life; that you will grow to become more like Jesus every day; and that you will continue on the path God has for you.

by

Revelation 17:14 Jesus Will Have Victory

They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is the Lord of lords and King of kings–and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers. Revelation 17:14

Wars and battles have been fought by many nations and groups of people all over the earth for centuries. As these battles are fought, there are those who win and those who lose in the end.

On some occasions, the group that appeared to be weaker of the two ended up winning the battle. Some appear to be weak but are stronger than the opponent.

John states that there are ten kings who will wage war with the Lamb–Jesus, but Jesus will win in the end because He is The Lord and King of all. Those who are faith and chosen will be with Him in the winning.

It is easy for people to see physical battles and wars going on between nations. The bombs and killings are easy to see. Different groups are fighting for victory over someone else.

While these physical battles are going on, there is another war that is occurring that many do not fully see. It is more subtle at times. This battle is against Jesus and those who are for Jesus–all believers who obey His commands.

Satan and the world are out to destroy all belief in Jesus and the works that He and His followers are doing. They will use lies and deception in their attempt.

At times the world appears to be winning the war, but in the end Jesus and His followers will win. Jesus has already overcome death, so there is nothing or anyone who can overcome Him. All who believe in Him and follow Him will also have victory with Him in the end.

As a believer in Jesus the world is out to stop you and destroy you. Attacks will come at you from all sides and in all forms. You are in a war for your life and the lives of those you meet.

Do not lose your focus upon Jesus. Continue to trust in Jesus and obey His every command. Despite all of the attacks and wounds that you may go through, you will be on the winning side in the end.

Jesus will triumph against the world and you with Him.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will remain faithful in following Jesus; that you will obey the commands of God; and that you will see victory in Jesus over the enemies of God.

by

Revelation 12:17 There Is A War Going On

Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring–those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus. Revelation 12:17

People all over the world are desiring peace and an end to wars. Yet, wars are occurring on a regular basis around the world.

Nations are fighting against nations for control and power. Inside every nation people are fighting against other people for many different reasons. The fighting is occurring from a national level all the way down to inside of homes and families.

John describes a woman, (believed to be the church), being protected from a dragon, (Satan). Since Satan could not get the woman, he goes after her offspring who are all the believers that keep God’s word and their testimony about Jesus.

As the world is focused on various physical wars occurring all over the world, there is a greater war going on that is not always physical. It is a war against believers in Jesus.

Satan has come to steal, kill and destroy everyone and everything he can. He hates anyone who has life, joy and peace and will do anything he can to destroy that person, thus warring against every believer.

This war begins in the mind and will of each person. His ammunition is not physical bullets and bombs, but temptations to sin and doubt. Every sin is a direct disobedience to God’s will. Doubt is a result in not believing the word of God and the work of Jesus in one’s own life.

Knowing that Satan is on a warpath against every believer, it should cause the believer to be aware of it and ready to hold on to what God has said as truth. The believer must also stay focused on obeying every command of God, despite the war waged against him.

You are in a war for your soul from the moment you chose to believe in and follow Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Neither Satan nor the world likes what you are doing and will do whatever it takes to try and stop you and defeat you.

Do not be surprised when trials and temptations come your way, Satan wants you to lose. Do not give up or give in on your obedience to God and holding onto the promises of God through Jesus.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that God will make you will be aware of the attacks of the enemy; that you will obey the commands of God; that you will hold on to your testimony about Jesus; and that God will give you victory over the enemy.