"In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one" - Ephesians 6:16 (NIV)
In the olden days warriors were much prized for their relentless fighting spirit especially during dark battles of conquest for land and everything. Through the Old Testament we see the Israelis in constant warfare with their neighbors, which is how most societies lived back then.
But warriors did not end with the passing of the hunter days. After the passing of the great American boxer, Marvin Marvellous Hagler, commentators refereed to him as a boxing warrior, along with legends: Sugar Ray Leonard, John Mugabi, Tim Hearns, Roberto Duran and others. These were champions who once they entered the ring would leave nothing in the locker room. They would take blow after blow but still fight on to victory.
There are many warriors in the Christian faith too. All the 12 Apostles were warriors because of what they would endure as they took the Gospel to the "utter most ends of earth". The Apostle Paul was a warrior as he was thrown at almost anything there was- shipwrecks, flogging, false accusations, desertions, and loneliness. And still he would fight on.
The early church was full of faith warriors. When the Apostle Peter was arrested it prayed till the angel of the Lord came and released him from prison (Acts 12:1-19). Likewise, God is calling us to be warriors of faith even today. If a warrior is faced with a huge mountain, as the early church was, he does not just give in and leisurely walk away, fearing to do battle. His attitude is of Ephesians 6:13: "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand"!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I rise as a warrior of faith, ready to take on any battle of the enemy, for you give me strength; and I know with you fighting on my side, there is only victory awaiting, this I pray in Jesus's name.
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04/05/2024 - 05/05/2024 All day“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid nor be dismayed, for the Lord your good is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua, 1:9 NKJV)
Self doubt is common to any life. Sometimes it can be a result of a challenge one is about to face. After Moses had passed on, Joshua knew he was succeeding a giant to lead the people of Israel to the Promised land. When someone succeeds a great leader there is bound to be comparison, a bit of which might be unfair and disheartening. As we see in this case, the mission was yet to be completed. If anyone, Joshua wouldn’t mind some encouragement.
Joshua would receive the encouragement he needed from God. He was assured that God Himself had chosen him to succeed Moses and take on the uncompleted task. God assured Joshua through His word that He would be with him. Joshua had had enough experiences to know that God’s promise was unfailing. After Moses sent out the twelve spies to explore the land the Israelis were about to invade, he and Caleb were the only two who believed that because of faith in God they could overcome the giants they saw (Numbers 13).
Today, any of us may be facing a task no less overwhelming from our experience as Joshua faced. Perhaps we have taken on a momentous office. We could be setting on a journey of undetermined length. Maybe there is a challenge that has just risen up from nowhere and we seemed all submerged.
The words God gave Joshua, his servant, should be of encouragement to us. Just as God commanded Joshua not to be afraid or dismayed, may we walk in that confidence.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today whatever task I face, I look up to you, and hold on to the words you gave Joshua, not to be afraid or dismayed, for you are with me, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
