His Ministry
Warriors!
King David was known to be a man after God’s heart and his love for God is seldom questioned. Nevertheless he was also known to be a man of war and sometimes we have difficulty in reconciling these two aspects. We hear Jesus teaching us to love our enemies and we hear David saying he hated his enemies with a perfect hatred.
In Ps.139: 17-24 He prays: “ How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee. Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men. For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain. Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
David is saying “ how precious are thy thoughts to me.”
We should notice his confidence in God’s love for him, this is why he loved God, because he knew, God first loved him. (See 1 John 4: 19)
He also had understanding of God’s holiness and that’s why he would say, “ Surly thou will slay the wicked.” King David is a foreshadowing of our King Jesus the Son of God. In the book of Hebrews we can see that they had a lot in common.
“But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” Heb.1: 8,9
In order to reconcile how we are to love God and hate our enemies, we must understand who our enemies are. In Ep.6: 12 we find; “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Our enemies are not the ones who they appear to be; Satan delights in us thinking that certain people are our enemies when in fact they are only servants of our enemy. All those who are not in Christ Jesus are under Satan’s domain, just like you and I were until we were rescued by the grace of God.
The servants of the most- high God have nothing to fear not even Satan himself is any threat to those who are in Christ Jesus. For a better understanding lets look in Isaiah 54: 13-17: “And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.” Our father has promised to teach us about this warfare.
“In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee. Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.” (Is. 54:14) The enemy will come against us but they shall fall.
“Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.”(Is. 54:16) We see here that it is God who has created the waster to destroy, Satin is an instrument in the hand of God, he can do nothing against us that is not allowed of God. Then our Father gives us this wonderful promise.
“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.” (Is. 54:17)
Our Father has promised to teach us and to establish us in righteousness. (See verses 13 & 14) My prayer for you and I is, that He will do that as we speak. David has given us a good example of a warrior. He says: “I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.” Ps. 18:37
The righteous man will hate sin and he will hate the evil spirits that are at work to receive the sons of men. Far too often we think we are to have pity for “the sinner,” and indeed we should, but be careful because you might be having sympathy with the spirit of deceit. If we truly love the victim we hate the evil that is out to destroy him, and we will not be satisfied until the evil influence has been consumed. The enemy wants us to be “understanding”. Of course we understand the temptations for we are all tempted. The real case is we need to be understanding of the deception that is taking place in every situation. A warrior cannot afford to be timid. David had passion and zeal for His Lord. It is not enough that we understand the temptations; we need to go after the evil forces that are deceiving them. We are warriors in the King of Kings’ army.
“Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two edged sword in their hand; To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.” Ps 149:5-9
We should not be foolish and think that we have any ability in ourselves. If the Kingdom of God is going to be extended in our generation it will be because we are pursuing it in prayer.
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds, casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” 2 Cor.10: 3-6
Why aren’t more of the Saints pursuing in prayer? Many have failed to put on their armour. “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ep.6: 13 If we are weak in one area, we are vulnerable and unable to stand; if we are having difficulty with standing, how shall we pursue? Many presume they are standing but in reality have fallen long ago. They have become accustomed to that fallen condition and believe that they are living the normal Christian life. “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Cor. 12,13
If you are frequently being taken in temptation – notice I didn’t merely say often tempted; we are all tempted – but if you are often taken in that temptation, meaning you are often sinning, then you are not standing. Those who are not standing cannot do warfare. If we cannot stand for anything, we will fall for everything.
Because of space I am going to close here. I would like to say more about the whole armour of God, perhaps at a later date. Comments and questions are always welcome.
Lord bless you,
James Lucas
Previous writings:
The Axe is Laid at the Root of the Tree!
Do you have a Stony Heart or a Heart of Flesh?
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