Warfare

Jude 1:9 - Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 

There are some people who go about fighting battles with the devil. I admit I was guilty of this because I'd heard it done and assumed since it came from another Christian it was okay. I looked up to the people who did this. If Michael the Archangel didn't attempt it, what makes anyone think they can?

We are to put all our trust in the Lord to do our battle, not believe we are like God and can do it ourselves. Who says I have more influence? Trust in Him. I should not lean on my own understanding. Why would anyone want to fight the enemy alone anyway? We call on His authority. He'll get the job done in the proper way.

There are scriptures that tell us the battle is the LORD's. And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the LORD to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s." (2Chronicles 20:15)  We all fight battles, though not always physical ones, even as Christians. We are not to fear. He's got our backs, providing we do trust in Him.

And: ...he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. And the LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! ...” (‭Zechariah‬ ‭3:1-2)

What battles do we have that seem undaunting? Instead of even hauling the enemy into the picture why not just call on the name of the Lord for the matter? Instead of shouting at the devil for "whatever," why not ask the Lord to provide what you need to get through or ask Him to do His will in the circumstance? 

Let's stop giving so much credit to the devil. We know Who will win in the end. Why acknowledge a loser!?

So rebuking the enemy, the devil...we earnestly call on Jesus to do it. Let the Lord rebuke him. For I will not trust in my bow, nor shall my sword save me. But You have saved us from our enemies, and have put to shame those who hated us.” ‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭44:6-7)

Get out of His way so He can do battle. As long as we stand in the way He cannot do it. We are called to trust in the Lord our God. We are to call on Him when we are in need. The battle is His if we are His children.

Psalms‬ ‭34:6-9 - This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.

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Lacking Understanding

Proverbs 1:20-22 - Wisdom calls aloud outside; she raises her voice in the open squares. She cries out in the chief concourses, at the openings of the gates in the city she speaks her words: “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge."

Boy oh boy. These are some hard words.

In order to have godly wisdom we must first believe in God. Then we must receive His Son. Then we receive the power of the Holy Spirit. We have it all.

Wisdom and knowledge become ours when we search scriptures, sit at Jesus's feet and let the words of God sink into our spirits, hearts and minds. It's not that difficult. It all starts with submitting ourselves to a relationship with Jesus, not our religion.

God calls daily. His creation shows all who He is: the wonder, creativeness, complexity of  Him, His beauty and also His fierceness. Yet many miss Him.

I believe in this proverb, those who do not heed Him, search not His scriptures, are the simple ones. These are not my words. Only God knows how much He desires each of us take Him seriously. Simple here means naive or lacking experience or understanding.

I know He's God and His thoughts are greater than ours. His ways greater too. If someone agitates or offends in some way, how do you feel? I know God is different, but imagine how He feels. Perhaps it's more pity than anger; sadness that some don't see Him. He must feel both. He sent His Son as proof as to how much He cares. He allowed His Son to die for us. There's the pity. He also has shown judgment. And part of that judgment is eternal death and damnation for those who scoff, who will not take Him seriously...hating the knowledge of Him or the wisdom He wants to share...or not thinking His wisdom is all that important.

Just a thought.

Read further in Proverbs 1 as wise Solomon continues to share a rebuke to those who forsake God's call and wisdom. Sometimes I even feel rebuked when wise words are put before me! It sounds like some day all who who have disdained His counsel will realize it. He is offering wisdom to us today. He wants only good for us. Why reject that good?

Proverbs 1:23-25 - "Turn at my rebuke; surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, because you disdained all my counsel, and would have none of my rebuke..."