Carry It Into Battle

Text
“Then they said, ‘Let’s bring the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord from Shiloh. If we carry it into battle with us, it will save us from our enemies’” (1 Samuel 4:3, NLT).

Insight
Every believer has a battle. That place where he is attacked. At times he wins and at times he is defeated. The stakes are high. Like Israel’s battle with the Philistines, the fight is for freedom. The loser is enslaved. So, “Stand up like men and fight” (1 Samuel 4:9, NLT).
In battle, men need power. We need the strength to resist sin and the temptations that want to so easily entangle us. We need wisdom and the ability to discern Truth from lies. We need the inner might to chose right from wrong. Overcoming the lusts, cravings and desires of our flesh takes Divine power. What battle are you facing and are you empowered to fight and win?
The fatal error the Israelites made in their battle was seeking from the Ark of God that which only fellowship with God could bring. They believed the Ark could “save us from our enemies” (4:3). Arks don’t save, God does. So, they were defeated because they carried into battle a form of God or godliness rather than the strength that comes from fellowship and following after God Himself.
2 Timothy 3:5 tells us that in the last days people “will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.” In other words, they have a form of godliness but fail to walk in the power of God. These forms fail men in battle. They are of no value against the flesh (Col 2:23).
We need God’s power. It comes from fellowship with Him. As we follow Him, we walk in strength to deny ourselves and take up our cross. In Him is strength for our inner man to walk in the Spirit and be led by Him. What will you carry into battle?

Prayer
Father, You know the battle(s) I face. I need Your strength to fight and win. As I draw near to You, draw near to me and fill me with Your power. I will follow you and listen to Your voice. In Jesus name, AMEN.