Are you reading the Bible through with me? Grab your pen and journal, and get ready to write your thoughts as you journey through the Bible.
Today, read Deuteronomy 20-24. With a highlighter or pencil/pen, mark the first four verses of chapter 20.
“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. 2 When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. 3 He shall say: “Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. 4 For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” (Deuteronomy 20:1-4).
We now live in a culture and time where anyone who truly strives to live for Jesus will be thrown into spiritual warfare. From bakers being attacked by the local, state, and federal governments for taking a moral stance, to the Christian student being ridiculed by a professor for accepting the Genesis version of creation as fact, our enemies are coming after us.
It’s easy to grow fearful in such a world as this. Fear can cause us to stumble as a Christian, or keep us silent when we should speak out for Him. Fear can make us refrain from telling others about the wonderful grace of Jesus. Fear can keep us from fulfilling God’s plan for our lives.
But we must remember where these attacks originate.
In Ephesians 6:12, Paul reminds us that our battles are not against flesh and blood; we battle principalities, spiritual powers, rulers of darkness, and the evil hosts of wickedness.
The priestly prayer in 20:1-4 is a good daily reminder to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might.
In your journal, list all of the things that you fear. Then read each one and pray that the Lord remove that fear as you give Him control over your life.
PRAY: Oh, Lord my strength, The challenges before me each day often test my integrity. People and circumstances will come against me to defeat me, to define me as a failure or worse, or destroy my witness. I cannot effectively battle all these things in my own strength. Remind daily that I can be empowered by Your strength. May Your Spirit fill my life with humility and faith in the face of all challenges today and every day.
