WHEN THE BATTLE COMES TO YOU

When the “to do” list becomes longer than the toilet paper roll, you have a problem! Important papers need to be signed and turned in on a deadline, bills need to be paid, the dogs need walked, dinner prepared, the house cleaned, emails returned, and the list goes on, but there is only one of you. Pretty soon your head is so full of “stuff” that you get bogged down and can’t even move forward. The enemy has produced so much chaos in your life that you cannot even hear God speaking much less have time to speak to Him. The battle lines have been drawn right in front of you! What do you do? Part of me wants to run to my bed and pull the covers over my head and hide hoping that everything will work itself out. However, God says otherwise. He tells us to “stand firm.” He say’s to face the enemy with confidence because we have a God who fights alongside of us and in fact He will often fight the battle for us, but we still have to be courageous and stand our ground.

King David had a fierce soldier in his army named Eleazar. He was a part of what was called “The 3.” These were King David’s elite military “mighty men.” They were the equivalent to the Navy Seals of our modern day military. Eleazar, during a fierce battle with the Philistine enemy stood his ground with his sword in his hand when all the others retreated. The Bible says that he fought so hard that his hand froze to his sword, that his hand and sword became like one. He rushed into this battle with winning on his mind and he persevered. When Eleazar took hold of the hilt of his sword, his grip was so tight that it left an imprint in his hand as if it, the sword, was taking hold of him. What a great picture this is for us! When we cling to the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, we can face our enemy in battle and win! When you stand firm with only victory in mind as the sword becomes one with your heart, you can defeat what stands opposite of you. Ask God to stand alongside you today. Ask him to order your day so that the right things get accomplished. When He orders it and you stand firm listening to His orders, no enemy will prevail! Grab your sword, my friends, and stand firm!