Numbers 31:3
“Moses spoke to the people, saying, “Arm men from among you for the war, that they may go against Midian to execute the LORD’S vengeance on Midian.”
To go to war was part of the culture of the day. It was also part of our culture, until Viet Nam. Since then we’ve had a volunteer army. America’s youth were part of the draft. In previous generations young people wanted to enlist to defend their country.
In the christian life, there are battles. Ephesians 6:12 says our “battle is not against flesh and blood”, but goes on to say that it’s against the spiritual realm. It further tells us to put on our armor daily.
What is our battle? It doesn’t look like war. Ephesian 6 speaks of being able to stand firm in the evil day. It makes me think of a tornado. They don’t come daily, but we want to be ready for them. Our house needs prepartions. It needs to be sturdy. A trailer would collapse.
How do we stand firm in the evil day? Put on the belt of truth (Eph 6:14). We need to know God’s Word. This takes time. Being in a bible teaching church produces this. How does this help? We know God, how He views and loves us and how he works in our lives. This person won’t have a faith crisis. Not because bad things don’t happen, but because he knows God. The devil is seeking to create doubt.
Verse 14 also says to put on God’s righteousness as body armor. We will be tempted and sin at times. 1 Timothy 3:6 speaks of “falling under condemnation of the devil.” Guilt causes us to be so distracted and shamed. We misunderstand our righteousness in Christ when we allow this. It’s like telling a boxer in between rounds that his brother was involved in an accident and is in the hospital. He won’t be able to focus on the fight. So, our mistakes cause us to wallow in shame. God wants us to confess it, ask for forgiveness and to express our gratitude for God’s acceptance of us.
The Ephesians passage mainly describes a defensive battle; “being able to stand firm”. We rarely see the the battle coming.
Lord, help us to understand You and our relationship to You from Your Word. Help us not to be crippled with guilt. But to walk confidently in Your great love towards us.