Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle.
Deuteronomy 2:24 KJVS
God delivered the children of Israel from Egypt by a great display of power. He did so, re emphasizing the promise He made to their ancestor Abraham, to give them a land flowing with Milk and honey. In the Deuteronomy 2:24, though the Lord clearly gave a promise to the children of Israel that He had given them the land, they had to contend for it. The territories that the Israelites were to occupy were occupied by inhabitants who were enemies of the Lord. God told Abraham in Genesis 15:13-16 that the reason the children of Israel stayed in Egypt for 400 years, was that the iniquities of the Amorites were not full enough for judgement. That is, God brought the Israelites through lands, and told the Children of Israel that these lands were their inheritance in order to instigate war. He did this as an excuse to execute judgement on his enemies and dispossess them from the land of promise.
In Judges 3:1-2, the scriptures show us another reason why the Lord allowed the Israel to face opposition: Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to test Israel by them (that is, all who had not experienced any of the wars of Canaan; [2] only in order that the generations of the sons of Israel might be taught war, those who had not experienced it formerly). Just like a King would teach all His sons to war, in order that they value and defend their inheritance and continue the Kingdom, it was of necessity that the children of Israel learned the art of war and did not simply receive their inheritance on a platter. It is the honour of princes to fight.
God had ordained it that man would subdue and have full dominion over the earth, Genesis 1:26-28. Hence, He often allows oppositions or inhabitants in the land of promise that we are to possess, so that we learn to fight and contend in battle. For us in the new covenant, Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but principalities and powers, Ephesians 6:12. Territories are physical and spiritual lands and spheres of influence. The promised land are the great and precious promises the Lord has given to us, 2 Peter 1:2-4. Yet, there are adversaries. The territories we are to conquer could be phases and stages in life. It could also mean souls of men that are unsaved and laden with addictions in our communities. Individually, it could be various aspects of our lives, including our health, finances and most especially our souls (will, emotions, desires and mind) which was under the rule of the flesh.
The moment you gave your heart to Jesus, you were thrown into the heat of an ancient battle. Just as God brought the Amorites before Israel when He was ready to execute His vengeance on them, God thrusts out enemies of His promise before us that we may be his instruments of vengeance. This is the honour of all the saints and sons of God, Psalm 149:5-9. Know of a surety that any battle you face in life is not simply against you. God promising you a territory possessed by His enemies is an act of instigating war. He brings them before you in faith, that you will fight for the Kingdom cause, dispossessing His enemies, which also really hate you for His sake. The Lord wants us to be in a place where our hands are on the necks of our enemies always. He also releases much strength to those who take this war to heart by going to the gates of His enemy Isaiah 28:6.
In conclusion, the war of all ages will be fought and won by royal and divine Sons of God who have learned to avenge all disobedience to the King after their obedience is complete. 1 Corinthians 10:6. Our attitude to war should be one of praise like David in Psalm 144:1-2 “Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: [2] My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.“. With this mindset, we will pursue our enemies and destroy them. This, beloved, is your Honour.
Prayer for today: Heavenly Father and High King of heaven, thank you for accepting me into the beloved as Your son. Lord thank you for the much strength and the victory you have already given me in Christ. Today, help me to hate those you hate and set out in battle to possess all that is mine in You. Give me the heart of a prince and a stakeholder in the Kingdom, who will pursue enemies and destroy them for the Kingdom sake. This is my honour as a saint. I pray in Jesus name. Amen.
0 Comments