How to fight (really really basic)

I’ve been making a very poor attempt to read through the entire Bible Chronologically this year. I started in February and haven’t even made it to the Prophets yet. Currently I’m reading the account of David’s life in Israel. This morning I am once again (as usual) fascinated by all of the warfare that took place in the establishing of a Nation that wasn’t really ever established, it seems.

I read a chapter where David defeated one people, and then killed a certain king, and then another, and then defeated another people. This isn’t going in the direction I’d hoped. Here’s what I’m getting at. The pattern that I see, the thing I think is significant and which pertains to everyone’s life at any point and time in the history of the world, is how each battle was essentially won or lost on account of God. And I know that most “Christians” have grasped this aspect of warfare, spiritually or physically, but I believe we’ve gotten lazy, missed the entire message, and in general most people (Christians) have stopped battling all together because of this. Realizing that God is the one responsible for the winning or losing of the fight does not mean we stop fighting.

When David was faced with a battle He sought the Lord. God would say,”Go.” Or God would say, “do not fight.” Or God would say, “Go, but you must go in this manner…” Saul was essentially dethroned because a battle lay before Him but He didn’t know how to get an answer from God. In an attempt to get an answer he broke a very serious rule. Really he lost the entire fight before the battle ever began. Saul had no relationship with the Lord. He didn’t know how to seek God. He didn’t know which way was up and which way was down. He just didn’t cut it. Again, the battle is the Lord’s; He wins it or He doesn’t fight. Without God leading the army there’s no hope. This is getting wordy and a bit annoying.

The pattern I see, the point I’m trying to make: A battle presents itself. God gives direction. The warrior moves. The Lord wins the fight!

First and foremost we have to recognize a battle when we see one. I think a lot of people suck at this. I think a lot of people focus way too much on what’s going on in camp right in front of their little noses and don’t see the real enemy stationed a ways off in the neighboring field.

Second, we must, MUST seek God. Not man. Not the smart guy next to us. Not a book full of great advice, wisdom, knowledge, the secrets to the universe; GOD! If you can’t hear Him, then let Him know that, humble yourself, turn your little nose down and listen. (even if it takes a few years to get an answer)

Third, this is the big one, this is the one I think mainly and mostly we’ve ALL stopped doing, MOVE! God never (at least as far as I can recall) defeated an enemy while the warrior was sitting down doing nothing. Sometimes God made the warrior do really weird, foolish, even retarded things, BUT the warrior was always in on the action, moving. It seems to me that we’ve come to a place of realization that God wins the war, He’s the one who fights, really, and He’s responsible for the victory so we’ve just stopped going to battle. It does not work that way. MOVE!

Then, the Lord wins the fight.

This is for me. All of my blogs are for me. I need to remind myself regularly of “how it is.” So this is for me. Michal Ann keep your eyes open, listen, move, victory!