Exodus 17:8, 9
‘Then Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.”’
Ecclesiastes 3:1 & 8 says, “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven… A time for war and a time for peace.” Israel was a slave nation for 400 years. Slaves don’t have rights to fight for. If they resist they are punished or killed. This is new for them. They get to be men and stand up for their loved ones. At one that level this sounds very liberating. But they had no idea this was in their future. God fought for them against the Egyptians. Now God is telling them to go out and fight.
We also have our conflicts. This sounds contradictory to people who have love as their main charge. Who are we at war with? With people, our attitude isn’t one of war. We are to love others. However, that doesn’t mean others will receive it as such and make peace. They may forever push back and look for ways to annoy us. If it’s a relationship of choice, we can distance ourselves, if they continue to be hostile. If it’s a coworker that we must work with, then we need to make the best of it. God will give us peace and wisdom in the midst of this.
There is a spiritual battle that we are to be aware of and of which we are to fight. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but… against the spiritual forces of wickedness.” The devil tricked our first parents into sinning. He maimed humanity to the point where Jesus had to rescue it. He and his demons are still there seeking to bring us down. Much of it is in the mind. He will seek to make us afraid, to doubt, to become self centered, to hate, and more. We aren’t to fall for his tricks.
2 Corinthians 2:11 says, “so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.” How do we fight a battle that is mental. While the devil will try to fill us with bad thoughts, we are to replace them with good thoughts. Philipians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” This is the majority of the battle, thinking on the good and godly. Avoiding the toxic is wonderful, but difficult at times. He will fill us with His peace.
Lord, help us not to be ignorant of the devil’s schemes. Help us to dwell on the good and the godly.