Sunday, December 6, 2009

fighting for freedom

This morning I was led to read Joshua 11. This portion of scripture is speaking about Israel defeating the Northern armies, "all the kings came out to fight. Their combined armies formed a vast horde...Then the Lord said to Joshua, Do not be afraid of them."

The chapter goes on to tell of Joshua's battle with the North,

"fighting men, slaughtering kings, crippling horses"

But, in the midst of the fighting, Joshua remembers what the Lord had spoken in the past to His servant Moses, and did well to take heed,

"carefully obeying all the commands that the Lord had given" v. 15

How easy it is to get caught up in the "battle" and forget who's commands/orders we are supposed to be following. The world will try to make it's weapons and tactics look desirable but as believers we have the "weapon of all weapons," "the Word of God that is living and powerful, sharper than any double edged sword, able to cut between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our inner most thoughts and desires." Heb. 4:12
The "war" is not easy. Defeat may take months or even years. Verse 19 says that Joshua was,

"waging war for a long time to accomplish this."

What a great word to those of us who are "waging war," fighting for the souls of our children. There are days where it seems that a "vast horde" is coming against our children's hearts and minds. But the Lord says the same thing to us as he said to Joshua before he went out for "battle",

"Do not be afraid of them." v. 5

The enemy will come against hard to capture and conquer, but, "stay alert! Watch out for the great enemy, the devil. Stand firm against him, strong in the faith" 1 Peter 5:8-9

Each day is a battle for the souls of our children. Let us Fight for their Freedom in Christ!

""God sent Jesus to buy freedom for us...so that He could adopt as His very own children." Galatians 4:5


*The photos are of two of my boys "battling" it out with butter knives!*

1 comment:

"Are These Kids All Yours?" said...

Love this post! Amen that God is the one in control!