Battle Ready
In this world you will have trouble (John 16:33b). In one way or another, we have all lived out this truth. Everyday brings new challenges to the point that we may feel at war with the world around us. We can even be at war with our faith at times. Feeling like things are just constantly coming at us from every side.
At the formation of the United States, the leaders of this nation believed that war was inevitable and believed they had to be battle ready. George Washington once said, to be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace. It seems counterintuitive to be battle ready so that there will be peace. But there is truth to this. In order to maintain strength and peace when trouble comes, we need to be ready for it. Benjamin Franklin went further to say that by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. Our preparation for the trouble is critical to our faith thriving in the midst of the battle. We have been given the tools to prepare ourselves through the Scriptures and through prayer so that we may strengthen our connection with God.
The writer of Psalm 119 understood this deeply for the people of Israel. He writes, I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. I have suffered much; preserve my life, Lord, according to your word. Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws. Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law (Psalm 119:101-109).
The law of God was to be a light on the path of life for the people of Israel. Not just a set of rules to follow. It was life giving, not life draining… Commentator Walter Brueggemann wrote, The teachers of this psalm are not worried or seduced by legalism. They do not find the commandments restrictive or burdensome. Rather, they are persons who have decided some basic life-commitments. They know to whom they belong, and they will answer. Therefore, they know who they are, and they have settled in large part the moral posture they will assume toward life. There is a focus to life, an absence of frantic moral dilemma, a sense of priorities matched by an absence of anxiety (The Message of the Psalms).
By studying the law of God, the ancient people found a focused life. We are called to the same focus through the study of Scripture and a deeper connection through prayer. These key disciplines will help us to be battle ready for the troubles of this world… Because there will be trouble. But the more prepared we are we can take heart! [Jesus has] overcome the world (John 16:33b).
Watch Francis Chan on Being Intentional
At the formation of the United States, the leaders of this nation believed that war was inevitable and believed they had to be battle ready. George Washington once said, to be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace. It seems counterintuitive to be battle ready so that there will be peace. But there is truth to this. In order to maintain strength and peace when trouble comes, we need to be ready for it. Benjamin Franklin went further to say that by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. Our preparation for the trouble is critical to our faith thriving in the midst of the battle. We have been given the tools to prepare ourselves through the Scriptures and through prayer so that we may strengthen our connection with God.
The writer of Psalm 119 understood this deeply for the people of Israel. He writes, I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. I have suffered much; preserve my life, Lord, according to your word. Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws. Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law (Psalm 119:101-109).
The law of God was to be a light on the path of life for the people of Israel. Not just a set of rules to follow. It was life giving, not life draining… Commentator Walter Brueggemann wrote, The teachers of this psalm are not worried or seduced by legalism. They do not find the commandments restrictive or burdensome. Rather, they are persons who have decided some basic life-commitments. They know to whom they belong, and they will answer. Therefore, they know who they are, and they have settled in large part the moral posture they will assume toward life. There is a focus to life, an absence of frantic moral dilemma, a sense of priorities matched by an absence of anxiety (The Message of the Psalms).
By studying the law of God, the ancient people found a focused life. We are called to the same focus through the study of Scripture and a deeper connection through prayer. These key disciplines will help us to be battle ready for the troubles of this world… Because there will be trouble. But the more prepared we are we can take heart! [Jesus has] overcome the world (John 16:33b).
Watch Francis Chan on Being Intentional
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