Should I Battle?

Posted on by

In the Old Testament we read of kings who reigned throughout Biblical history. Unfortunately, many did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and others were listed as doing what was good and right in the sight of the Lord.

I found it interesting that even during the reign of some of the “good” kings, there were still times the nation had to fight. Sometimes God told them to fight because He would be with them and make them victorious. Other times God would tell them not to go into battle that He would take care of the situation. Unfortunately, there were occasions when the nation did not seek God’s guidance and instead charged into battle without God’s help. Those wars did not end well.

Then there is the story of David who should have been in battle with his army but stayed home and wound up committing adultery and then murder (2 Samuel 11).

Difficulties are part of life while we live on this earth, and we fight physical, spiritual, and mental battles. The battle might be ours to fight, might belong to someone else, or the battle may belong to the Lord. We need God and His direction and guidance to live a victorious life.

The other day someone posted something on social media. What was posted was true, and the person was immediately attacked. I read the comments and thought of joining in, yet I felt a check in my spirit. That battle was his, not mine. I would be fighting a battle God did not call me to fight. Far too often I have marched into a situation without seeking God’s guidance and the results were not pretty.

When people “inquired of the Lord” God directed them whether or not they should go into a battle, and He would often give them advice on how to handle the encounter (1 Samuel 30:8, 2 Samuel 5:19, 1 Chronicles 14:8-16).

Our fight isn’t against people on earth but against the rulers, authorities, and powers of this world’s darkness the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world. Therefore, we need to put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-13), and no matter what we see with our eyes, hear with our ears, or think in our thoughts, before stepping into a battle and responding in word or deed, seek God’s wisdom. “If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5, AMP).

Only God knows the truth of a situation and the timing of how things will be handled. To live in victory, we need to go to our victorious God.

Heavenly Father, You know the plans You have for me, plans to give me a future and a hope. I don’t know what to do, so I look to You for help. For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me. Before I take a step forward I need Your guidance and wisdom. Please show me Your ways and teach me Your paths. You will guide me with Your plan, and afterward receive me to glory. Thank You, God, that You give victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Jeremiah 29:11, 2 Chronicles 20:12, Psalm 31:3, James 1:5, Psalm 25:4, Psalm 73:24, 1 Corinthians 15:57).

His ways are not our ways

Posted on by

Why all the suffering and pain? As we become Christians, why aren’t we immediately rescued from the troubles of this earth?

Jesus told His followers to go, tell, and make disciples of the nations (Matthew 28:19). If we are gone, how could we go, and who would tell others about Christ?

We are told to comfort others with the comfort we are given by our merciful God (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). If we never suffered how would we know how to give comfort?

Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown in prison. What if they had never been jailed? Prisoners wouldn’t have heard them singing praises to God, they wouldn’t have seen the power of God as the prison shook and cell doors opened, and the jailer and his whole household would not have been saved (Acts 16:22-31).

What if Paul had not spent any time in prison? Would we have his beautiful treasure-trove of letters written to the early churches?

If Paul had been rescued from prison in Rome, the whole praetorium guard would not have heard the message of Christ. He wrote “I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear” (Philippians 1:12-14, ESV).

If Joseph had never been sold in slavery and imprisoned, how many people would have died from famine?

If the early church had not been persecuted and driven from their homes, would the gospel have spread throughout the known world?

Believers in China face terrible opposition, yet a Chinese Christian wrote, “Instead of focusing our prayers against any political system, we pray that regardless of what happens to us, we will be pleasing to God. Don’t pray for the persecution to stop! We shouldn’t pray for a lighter load to carry, but a stronger back to endure! Then the world will see that God is with us, empowering us to live in a way that reflects his love and power.” ~ Brother Yun[i]

My sweet friend, Marlyn, died from pancreatic cancer. Yet before she went home to the Lord, she boldly proclaimed Christ to her doctors, other patients, friends, family members, and even strangers.

The early believers prayed for boldness, courage, and fearless confidence. They prayed for those who persecuted them, prayed when they were attacked and driven from their homes. Persecution scattered the believers, and they scattered the good news. Opposition merely became opportunities to continue sharing. Suffering was seen as a blessing and they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer. They didn’t make what happened to them bigger than the message of Christ. Their faith was dangerous to the kingdom of darkness, and their faith resulted in glorious results for the Kingdom of God.

God’s ways are not our ways. God wishes none to perish without Him, and He will send His children around the world to be His hands and feet to share His eternal message of grace and love. Christ’s followers are driven from their homes, experience storms, shipwrecks, prisons, illness, and hardships without number, yet through their suffering how many lost sheep around the world hear of our Savior, Jesus Christ?

May we trust that whatever happens, God is in control and His plans are bigger than we can see. Pray for boldness, pray for courage, pray to be led by the Holy Spirit to spread the good news of Jesus Christ.

Heavenly Father, thank You that You are a loving God. Thank You for Your salvation. Thank You that You desire all people to be saved. Help me to be bold and courageous. May Your Holy Spirit lead me to walk in Your ways, read Your word, and no matter what happens while on this earth, to share with others the good news of Your grace, mercy, and salvation through Your precious Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

The post, His ways are not our ways, first appeared on lisabuffaloe.com

[i] Yun, Brother, with Hattaway, Paul, The Heavenly Man, Monarch Books, UK & USA, 2002

Forgiving ourselves

Posted on by

Sometimes forgiving others is easier than forgiving ourselves. Please don’t let the enemy convince you that your sin is too bad, too many, or too terrible for God’s forgiveness. I’ve heard people say that because of their sins there is no hope for repair or restoration. Yes, there are always consequences to sin. And unfortunately, behaviors will spill over to affect other lives. Fortunately, God is bigger than any mistake or failure.

David was an adulterer and murderer, but God called him a man after His own heart.

Moses killed a man, but God spoke to him face-to-face as a friend.

Rahab was a prostitute, but God blessed her to be the mother of Boaz. And Boaz married Ruth, and through their further generations came our precious Savior, Jesus Christ.

Saul stood by watching and agreeing with the stoning of Steven and then he persecuted Christians, but God used him in mighty ways to further His kingdom.

The woman caught in adultery, the woman who “lived a sinful life” all found forgiveness at the feet of Jesus.

Regardless of your past, no matter what has happened, what you have been through, God’s forgiveness is freely offered for those who come to Him. Let that steep in you. The Lord will forgive if you honestly, earnestly confess, and repent.

Grace touches to the very marrow of our being and cleanses us from the inside out, creating a new creature in Christ. Created uniquely, we become the best we can be through His grace. All we must do is accept what He so freely offers.

“Turn to the Lord! He can still be found. Call out to God! He is near. Give up your evil ways and your evil thoughts. Return to the Lord our God. He will be merciful and forgive your sins” (Isaiah 55:6-7, CEV).

“Come now, and let us reason together,’ Says the Lord, ‘Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool” (Isaiah 1:18, NASB).

The post, Forgiving ourselves, first appeared on https://lisabuffaloe.com