TODAY’S WORD FOR FRIDAY APRIL 15, 2016.
WEAPON
Any instrument used in fighting.
But everyone went down to the Philistines to sharpen his man’s plowshare, his mattock (pickax), his ax, and his sickle. I Samuel 13:20.
In I Samuel 13, the Israelites were facing a severe predicament. They were about to be attacked by their detested enemies, the Philistines. The Philistines had superior metal-working craftsmen and their army was well armed with weapons of iron. Among the Israelites only Saul and his son Jonathan had swords.
So the children of Israel did the best with what they had. They had all of their tools they used for farming sharpened, per the verse we have put above. They had no swords but they planned to use the sharpened farm tools to inflict deadly blows as they fought hand to hand.
It never dawned on the Philistines metal workers that they were getting these farm tools sharpened to fight them. Even though the Children of Israel had all of their farm tools sharpened and ready for battle they never had to use them because God won the battle for them.
The lesson for us is that we need to go into all of our battles prepared. God can and will use whatever tools we have if we are obedient and willing to follow His commands. We are in a battle against evil just like Saul was and the Children of Israel. Our weapons are not made of iron but they need to be constantly sharpened. Our weapons are faith, the knowledge of God’s Word, prayer, and obedience.
The battle between good and evil rages all around us day and night. Satan never sleeps so we need to be prepared for battle at every moment. We need quickness of perception. This means we must be alert to see and recognize evil when it approaches us. We need unwavering faith, strength, 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 evil we face.
For the Children of Israel it was a war to protect what God had given them. For us it is a 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.
The best weapon we have to protect us from the evils of the 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.”
God’s Word penetrates our mind and heart, showing us who we really are by revealing our faults and our sinfulness. God’s Word has cleansing power to save us from our sins and redeeming power to mold us to be what He wants us to be.
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 81:1.
Sing aloud to God our strength; make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob.
Thank you for the abundant resources You have given us to fight the battles we face in life against Satan. Help me to understand that these resources need to be continually sharpened so we can be well equipped and ready to fight the evil challenges of the devil.
 |
| Special Price Only $10.00 Click Here for More |
ONE FINAL SUGGESTION.
If you have not received your FREE BOOKMARK from us, please click on either:
or
Write Ken and Dottie a note
And we will send one to you.
It includes 10 golden rules for a happy family.
It includes 10 golden rules for a happy family.
