Are We Battle Ready?

Psalms 144:1-2 Blessed be the Lord, my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; my Lovingkindness and my Fortress, my Stronghold and my Deliverer, my Shield and He in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me.

I have said this before, but it bears repeating. This place we find ourselves, as God's children, is not a playground. It is a battleground. We are not just children of God, as born again believers; we are soldiers in God's army. 2 Timothy 2:4 clearly tells us, "No one engaged in warfare entangles himself in the affairs of this life, that he may please Him who enlisted him as a soldier." Being a soldier means that we must be ready, at any moment, to engage the enemy, defend one's self or someone else, from the enemy's attacks. However, we can only effectively do this if we are properly and thoroughly trained. David was a man of war, but having strength and courage was not enough. He also needed skill. He knew and acknowledged that his training had to come from someone who could train him unlike anyone. He knew that Person was God Himself. David goes as far as proclaiming that the Lord not only trained his hands for war, but also his fingers for battle. The hands are useless in war if the fingers remain untrained. What a beautiful picture we have of the body of Christ, the church, training and working together, in order to be able to engage in warfare. God has given each of us the armor we need in order to prepare for the battlefield (Ephesians 6). Nonetheless, even if a soldier has the right equipment, if he fails to become proficient in its use, it becomes useless in battle; and may even become dangerous to himself and others he is supposed to be going into battle with, side by side. Hence, the Lord in training us to use the spiritual armor He has provided, will allow us to test that armor, and how skillfully we use it, by allowing certain attacks by the enemy. There is, however, a key to successfully using this armor and being trained properly. David reminded us that his skill and strength came from the Lord and his security in Him. The Lord was his Rock, Goodness, Fortress, High Tower, Deliverer, and Shield. Ephesians 6:10 puts it this way, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might." What the Apostle was telling us is that the only way we will stand firm in battle, and be victorious, is if we put on the Armor, which is Christ Jesus Himself. We must put off the old man, and put on the new, in the power of the Lord. Are we being doers of the Word, and not just hearers? Are we putting our faith to practice, and learning how to effectively use the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God? Are we allowing the Spirit to exercise the Word in our life, as He leads us to obey the commandments of Jesus; by which also we prove our love for Him? Are we allowing the Lord to train our hands for war, and fingers for the battles we may be facing, or the ones that are to come? Are we "battle ready"?

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 7:23). 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 His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).