“For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts… that He might utterly destroy them, … Joshua did to them as the LORD had told him … Thus Joshua took all this land” Joshua 11:20,9,16
Blessed be the LORD my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle— Psalm 144:1
“Who then can be saved?” Jesus said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:25
Joshua 11 Where is Your territory in me Lord? Where is my heart hardened against You? Break it now. May my fullness of sin be now (Genesis 15:16) so I am repentant and You have Your Way with me!
Open my eyes to the pain of the casualties of this Spiritual War around me. In my family, neighbors, places I frequent and world. Move me by Your compassion, wisdom and Holy Spirit to be effective in me as You were with Joshua. I shall not fear, for You, my Commander, go before me, and I am to follow You closely!!
Psalm 144 Lord God Almighty, the Spiritual War is Great. You are “my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle”! Reveal Your enemies to me that I will pray fervently, and act obediently in word, attitude, spirit, and action for Your Good purpose in setting captives free for Your Glory alone! (Romans 12:1-2)
“Stretch out Your hand … Rescue me and deliver me” v. 7 By Your Word and Spirit reveal to me all deception, falsehood and hidden sin so that I will not be held captive by it, but will be alert and self-controlled. 1 Peter 5:8 , 2 Corinthians 10:5
I am humbled and gratefully rejoice that “You take knowledge of” me, my God and Lord!! v. 3-4,15
Jeremiah 5 Spiritual War within God’s people! – God is the Commander-in-Chief of Spiritual War! Beware- no one is immuned to His righteous judgements!
God’s people do not seek, speak, live nor love Truth. “they swear falsely… refused to receive correction… made their faces harder than rock; … refused to return. … For they are not the LORD’s. …They have lied about the LORD,… they committed adultery… their transgressions are many; Their backslidings have increased…. this people has a defiant and rebellious heart; They have revolted and departed… their houses are full of deceit.” v. 2-3, 10,12,6, 23, 27
How clearly I see this in my country!
Small Snapshot: Yesterday I read in an elderly magazine that people over age 50 are contracting AIDS in great numbers because of fornication. v. 8, Hebrews 13:4 – Lord reveal Your Word to them and soften their hearts to You!! Save them!
God wars against those who do not obey, worship and fear Him. “Shall I not punish them for these things?” says the LORD. “And shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?” v.29, 4-6
God’s Rod of Correction: “Behold, I will bring a nation against you from afar,” says the LORD. “It is a mighty nation, It is an ancient nation, A nation whose language you do not know, Their quiver is like an open tomb; They are all mighty men. And they shall eat up your harvest and your bread, Which your sons and daughters should eat. … shall destroy your fortified cities” v. 15-17 Will this happen to my country!?
God asks “Will you not tremble at My presence”?
Seeming terribly prophetic in my view, the only repercussion I want for my country is repentance. 2 Chronicles 7:14
Spiritual War!
Spiritual War is concrete, real and tangible: The Clash between spiritual rulers, authorities, and powers of this world and in the heavenly realms, of evil against Godly. Ephesians 6:12
Spiritual War is won by being on the Victor’s side: the Lord Jesus Christ. It is won by obedience to God’s Word by God’s Holy Spirit and through prayer. James 5:16, Revelation 12:11, 1 John 5:3, John 14:15,23
To be on God’s side we must be adopted by the Lord God Almighty, being His child. John 1:12-14, John 3:5-6, 1 Peter 1:23, 2 Cor 5:17. To be God’s child we must surrender our sins and totality to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Psalm 51, Romans 5:8, Ephesians 2:13, Hebrews 10:19, Hebrews 13:20 , 1 John 5:6, 1 Timothy 2:5
Matthew 19 Spiritual War notes from Jesus:
Spiritual War causes pain to everyone who departs from God and His Word, which is people’s antagonism of God’s Love. James 4:4, Romans 1:18-32, Romans 5:8,10, Colossians 1:21-22
When people do not obey God with His right motives and intent, they are engaging in war against God and His people. When people live for God with His motives and intent, they are on the victory side, whether they see it immediately or not.
Spiritual War points:
Jesus says that marriage God’s Way is Right. Divorce is clothing oneself with violence. God hates it. Malachi 2:16
Children are the causalities in the war of divorce. Jesus wants all children and adults to come to Him. Each person must come as a child, trusting Jesus Christ, in order to enter the Kingdom of God. John 14:6
Jesus is clear: “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” God says to have no idols before Him (Exodus 20:1-11) and learn from and live with Jesus Christ. (Matthew 11:28-30) 1 John 2:5
The only way this is possible is to by the Lord God Almighty (v. 25-29) – being born again. “He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born… of God.” John 1:12-13
“Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” “And everyone who has left … for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.” v. 25-29
Crystal (PsalmThirty4)
Sixty-six books in a year 