Weapon: February 15, 2013

TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY FEBRUARY 15, 2013.

WEAPON

DEFINITION:

Any instrument used in fighting.

SCRIPTURE:

"But everyone went down to the Philistines to sharpen his mans plow-share, his mattock, his ax, and his sickle." I Samuel 13:20

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

The children of Israel were at war with the evil Philistines but they were little equipped to conquer anyone as they had no weapons. All they had were their farm tools. There were no swords or spears to be found in Israel. Only Saul and his son, Jonathan, had them. The children of Israel made themselves prepared as best they could. They had their tools sharpened. These rough farm tools needed to be sharpened so they could inflict deadly blows.

As God lead them they went to the Philistine villages and had their farm tools sharpened so that they were ready for battle. It never dawned on the Philistines that the Israelites would use their farm tools in battle. The lesson we should learn from this is that God can use whatever we have if we are obedient and willing to follow His command. Even though the Children of Israel had their farm tools sharpened for battle, they never had to use them because God won the battle for them although they had gone into the battle prepared.

Today, we, as believers are in a war against evil just like Saul was. Our weapons are different, but they need to be sharpened. Just as in the days of Saul, every weapon that we have available to us must be used: Faith, the knowledge of God’s Word, prayer and obedience are necessary equipment for every Christian warrior. We must keep our weapons sharpened and ready for action.

The battle of good and evil rages all around us. Satan never sleeps so we must be prepared for battle at every moment. We need quickness of perception. This means that we need to be alert to see and recognize evil when it approaches us. We need strength, an unwavering faith, wisdom, energy and a prepared heart to respond to evil. All of the resources that God has given us must be employed daily in our Christian walk as weapons to fight against the evil we face.

For the children of Israel, it was war to protect what God had given them. For us, today, it is war to protect our faith in Jesus Christ. God has promised to be with us just as He promised the children of Israel. He kept His word with them and He will do the same for us.

One of our longtime friends owns and operates a company that manufactures parts for weapons. Often he has told us how important it is that every part that they manufacture is accurate and sharpened with perfection. Our friend also told us that if just one item was not done exactly according to the specs given, the contract would be cancelled. Perfection in the making of today's weapons is expected and God expects us to sharpen our weapons to perfection so we are ready for the battle against evil. This is what God wants for us. We need to sharpen daily all the weapons that God has given us. Just like the children of Israel we may not have swords or spears but we can take our "FARM TOOLS" that God has given us and sharpen them to be used for His glory.

The best weapon we have to challenge the evils of this world is the Bible. Hebrews 4:12 describes God's Word as the sword: "For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than a double-edged sword, and it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

As parents we thought it of utmost importance to arm our children with God's Word. Part of our family devotional time each evening was spent in memorizing scripture verses. When having to defend our faith nothing squelches the fire of an argument like God's Word. No one can successfully argue against God's Word because the Word is like a sword, it pierces to the heart and soul of the unbeliever.

The Bible verses that we recall the quickest are the ones we learned as children. Children learn quickly so begin to arm them early with the sword of God's Word. You will never regret it.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in I Thessalonians 5:18.

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

PRAYER:

Thank You for the resources that You have given me. Help me to understand that these resources need to be continually sharpened so I will be well equipped and ready to fight the evil challenges of the devil I must fight daily. Help my family to sharpen their weapons, so together we stand well prepared to represent You with honor and with praise.