Thus declares the Lord of hosts: Let your hands be strong...
Zechariah 8:9a
Throughout the entire Bible there is a lot of emphasis placed on the necessity of strength...
Zechariah 8:9a
Throughout the entire Bible there is a lot of emphasis placed on the necessity of strength...
In the Old Testament the primary focus was on possessing physical strength because the Israelites had many enemies who were bent on destroying them and wiping them off the face of the earth.
Although having faith in God was of the utmost importance, it was also necessary for them to have a combat ready fighting force as well. For even though God was with them, if the Jews were to survive as a nation they needed to know how to fight. Their soldiers needed to be strong physically, mentally, and spiritually.
While in the times we're now living in, which many Christians refer to as the "church age" or the "age of grace," we no longer have to fight against "flesh and blood" as the Old Testaments saints did. Yet we are required to engage in spiritual warfare against the demonic forces which seek to harm us. The Scriptures make this abundantly clear.
The reality is, the Christian is at war. He is at war with his own fleshly temptations, and he is at war with the satanic forces that surround him. This is why the Word of God seeks to encourage the believer with passages such as, "Greater is He who is in you, than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4).
While several other Scriptures also make this clear. "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). And "Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles (tricks and schemes) of the devil..." (Ephesians 6:10-18).
The truth is, every disciple of Christ is engaged in some level of spiritual warfare. As the apostle Paul wrote in a letter to his spiritual son Timothy whom he was mentoring, "Fight the good fight of faith" (1 Timothy 6:12).
In Old Testament times it was required to always have "valiant men" available who were "able to carry shield and sword, shoot a bow and arrow, and are skillful in combat" (1 Chronicles 5:18). Today, however, the disciple of Messiah Jesus must be well skilled in the use of his weapons which are prayer, the Word of God, watchfulness, and fellowship.
Furthermore, we never have to fight alone because, as the Bible declares, "The Lord shall fight for you," (Exodus 14:14). Also, "the battle is the Lord's" (1 Samuel 17:47).
D. B.
Although having faith in God was of the utmost importance, it was also necessary for them to have a combat ready fighting force as well. For even though God was with them, if the Jews were to survive as a nation they needed to know how to fight. Their soldiers needed to be strong physically, mentally, and spiritually.
While in the times we're now living in, which many Christians refer to as the "church age" or the "age of grace," we no longer have to fight against "flesh and blood" as the Old Testaments saints did. Yet we are required to engage in spiritual warfare against the demonic forces which seek to harm us. The Scriptures make this abundantly clear.
The reality is, the Christian is at war. He is at war with his own fleshly temptations, and he is at war with the satanic forces that surround him. This is why the Word of God seeks to encourage the believer with passages such as, "Greater is He who is in you, than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4).
While several other Scriptures also make this clear. "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). And "Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles (tricks and schemes) of the devil..." (Ephesians 6:10-18).
The truth is, every disciple of Christ is engaged in some level of spiritual warfare. As the apostle Paul wrote in a letter to his spiritual son Timothy whom he was mentoring, "Fight the good fight of faith" (1 Timothy 6:12).
In Old Testament times it was required to always have "valiant men" available who were "able to carry shield and sword, shoot a bow and arrow, and are skillful in combat" (1 Chronicles 5:18). Today, however, the disciple of Messiah Jesus must be well skilled in the use of his weapons which are prayer, the Word of God, watchfulness, and fellowship.
Furthermore, we never have to fight alone because, as the Bible declares, "The Lord shall fight for you," (Exodus 14:14). Also, "the battle is the Lord's" (1 Samuel 17:47).
D. B.
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