When Soldiers Never Go To War
“Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley. And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.” (Judges 7:1-3)
Today’s Morsel: When soldiers never go to war, they lose their will to fight. They become complacent and fearful. The skills that they had learned are now soon forgotten and they revert to their old way of life. Soldiers are trained to fight, defend, and protect. They are trained in the art of war. But if their skills aren’t used, they become useless and weak in that art. If you never witness, teach a home Bible study where smoke is filling your eyes, the television is blurring, kids are screaming, people are coming and going that may indicate a drug deal in the background and you are wondering if the cops are going to come in to raid and haul you off to jail, you haven’t been to war. And sooner or later you are going to lose the desire to serve and lose your skillset. “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” (Mark 16:15-18) Gideon summoned 32,000 men for war. But because they had not been to war for so long, many of them were fearful. And God knew that they were fearful. And so He took matters into His own hand to remove them from the ranks. God knew that they were lacking in their skillset to fight. The skills you learn on Sunday and Wednesday in your church are essential to your survival on the battlefield. Pay attention so that you are trained and ready when duty calls. Keep your skills honed and use them often.
Sing: I'll stand for Thee, dear Jesus, whate'er the cost may be. I’ll spread the gospel to the lost each day; But if it be Thy will, Lord, To send me o'er the sea, I’ll follow Thee tho' death should come my way.
Jesus, use me, and O Lord don’t refuse me, For surely there’s a work that I can do; And even though it’s humble, Lord, help my will to crumble, Tho' the cost be great I’ll work for You.
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