Proper Preparation

Verse of the Day: 1 Samuel 13:22, So it came about, on the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan. But they were found with Saul and Jonathan his son.

This was a shameful position for Saul to be in, and a stressful position for Israel to be in. In spite of a previous victory over the Ammonites, King Saul failed to acquire weapons for his army. Israel, who adamantly insisted on having a human king, is now found defenseless because they trusted man over God. How often do we find ourselves in this position because we put more trust in ourselves, our finances and resources, our talents, abilities, or someone other than God? Our greatest failure when we find ourselves in spiritual battle is that we failed to properly prepare. Far too many Christians wait until they are in the heat of the fight to begin preparation. The typical response is panicked prayer. Saul and the Israelites were not prepared to go up against the Philistines. The Philistines had systematically put themselves in a position to control Israel’s ability to obtain weapons of any kind so that they would be able to easily defeat them if necessary. What is even worse is that this war seems to have been brought on by King Saul, possibly as a result of his own pride in attempting to make a name for himself. In verses 3-4 we see what appears to be an unprovoked attack on the Philistines, it reads, “And Jonathan attacked the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. Then Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, ‘Let the Hebrews hear!’ 4 Now all Israel heard it said that Saul had attacked a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel had also become an abomination to the Philistines. And the people were called together to Saul at Gilgal.” As I read this chapter, and what the Philistines had done in their strategy against Israel, it reminded of the fact that the devil does the same thing to us. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” Have you ever watched a lion hunt? Lions have a greater success rate when they hunt in numbers. They stalk their prey and attack in such a way as to cause panic, dispersing a herd and going after the weakest in the herd. Interestingly, lions prefer to hunt in the dark. Does this not sound like our enemy? Knowing this, and having read the verse in 1 Peter 5:8, do any of us take the time to prepare daily? Sadly, what happens is that we become complacent simply because life is going well and there is nothing troubling us. Life is good, everyone is healthy, and we are financially secure. We stop reading our Bibles, praying, and even start to take time off from going to church. Life is grand. Well, there is one thing wrong with this picture…the devils are still watching. They are stalking, waiting, and watching us drift further and further away from God and relying on self, our resources and others (who will probably not be there for us when we need them most). We set ourselves up for our own spiritual attack and defeat. James 4:7-8 reminds us, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” Jesus said something to Peter that is still true today and applies to each and every follower of Jesus Christ, in Luke 22:31 He said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.” Knowing this, it is our own failure if the attacks come and we are not prepared. There was a time when everyone bought into the “What Would Jesus Do” craze. However, my question was always, “How are we going to know what Jesus would do, if we are not even trying to live like Jesus?” What is a bracelet with “WWJD” going to do for us in the middle of demonic attacks if we are not already living for, and living like, Jesus? I will tell what it will do… “Nothing!” The best way to prepare is to practice putting on, and using, the armor God has provided for us, daily! Not just once in a while, but every single day. Ephesians 6:10-12 warns, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Finally, we must pray without ceasing (1Thessalonian 5:16-18), and pray as instructed in Ephesians 6:18, “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints”. The bottom line is that in order to stay in the battle, and not panic when the surprise attacks come, we must put on Jesus every single day. We may stumble, we may fall, but we will always get back up, if we are continually putting proper preparation into practice in His strength.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).