BY FAITH YOU WILL TAKE THE FIRST STEP TO FIGHT THE ENEMIES OF GOD – Hebrews 11:34d
Sunday, October 23rd, 2005Hebrews 11:34d waxed valiant in fight, turned to fight the armies of the aliens.
An illustration of one demonstrating their faith in fighting is Jonathan. Israel was at war with the Philistines. Jonathan decided to fight so he took his armorbearer and went to the garrison of the Philistines. He told his armorbearer that they were going to make themselves seen by the Philistines and if they asked them to come up to the garrison that God was with them. Jonathan recognized that God could save by many or just a few. He was willing for God to use him in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.
Jonathan made a choice to fight the Philistines. He was not afraid of battle but was willing to be used of God. Jonathan demonstrated his faith by intentionally putting himself in the place where God had to use him. Jonathan knew that the Philistines were enemies of God and must be destroyed. Jonathan simply saw what needed to be done and allowed God to work through him.
Jonathan could not take on the entire Philistine army at one time, but he did pick one garrison and asked God to deliver this one enemy into his hands. Because he was faithful in this fight, the Philistines feared and Israel’s heart was strengthen and a great victory was wrought that day.
God does not require you to take on a garrison of Philistines. However, you can demonstrate your faith by making a conscience decision to fight the enemies of God. Do not be worried about all the enemies. Instead, simply focus on one enemy and ask God to give you the ability to destroy that one enemy. Whatever enemy God gives you to fight, fight with all your might knowing that God is there to help you. The enemy will always outnumber you. However, with God on your side, those who are with you are greater then those who are with them.
Do not worry about how you are outnumbered. Instead, simply trust in God and allow HIM to demonstrate HIS power through your life. While the Israelites gave credit to Jonathan for the entire victory, Jonathan and his armorbearer only killed 20 men. Jonathan knew that it was God who went before him to fight.
Ask a young child to clean up their room and they will probably reply that they do not know where to start. The more they complain about how impossible the job is, the longer it will take them until they are free to do what they want. However, if that child learns to just simply start with the first item, the child will see progress and quickly work to finish the task before them.
There are many battles out there for you to fight. In fact, there are probably too many battles out there for you to fight on your own. However, if you are willing to allow God to work through you, you can do many great things for God. Simply choose the battle God has for you. Locate yourself in the place where God can use you. Allow God to work through you and watch how HE takes care of you and allows you to win many victories for HIM. By faith you must step forth and fight the enemies knowing that HE will take care of you. Do not wait until God decides to use you, but instead be proactive and demand that God use you to destroy those who fight against HIM.