YOU MUST BE DRESSED FOR BATTLE
Isaiah 59:16-17 And he saw that [there] was no man, and wondered that [there] was no intercessor: therefore, his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him. For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance [for] clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke. See also Ephesians 6:10-18
No matter what the occasion maybe we normally dress with the right attire whether for winter, summer, spring or autumn. We do this because we might suffer for not taking heed to the climatic conditions. Presently, the world is undergoing a time of transformation where it seems as if people are assuming positions mainly for power during which time, they crush those who are in their way.
Isaiah 59:14-15 And judgment is turned away backward, and justice stands afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. Yea, truth fails; and he [that] departs from evil makes himself a prey: and the LORD saw [it,] and it displeased him that [there] was no judgment. [Read Isaiah 59:1-21]
God looked down during the time of the Prophet Isaiah and saw the inequities, the sinfulness, and the lawlessness in the land and wondered that there was no man, no intercessor to plead the cause of the innocent or those caught into the hands of the oppressors. No one seemed willing to vindicate or to actively seek the protection of those who are helplessly caught in the hands of the wicked. For this reason, His “his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.” God is looking on and He sees the iniquities taking place. He sees that there is no justice and inequities are the order of the day. Justice has become a thing of the past similar to godliness, morality and civility. Satan has bombarded earth and taken over the minds and thoughts of those whom he has chosen to serve him.
Despite this terrible situation, God will always find someone to intercede for those who are helpless. Those who have no forum and those with no voice. Nehemiah saw the need of his people and the condition of his country even though he was an exile; he still cared and sought God with tears, prayer and fasting for His intervention by equipping him with favour from his employer so that he could go and render assistance. Nehemiah had zeal, he had purpose and he moved with alertness. He was sensitive to the condition the people were in and therefore, made a decision to help! Moses was called to deliver the people who were in bondage. Today, there is a form of bondage where restrictions are placed on others so that fear takes hold and people are reluctant even to present their concerns.
No one can face a battle without the proper clothing. Isaiah 59:16-17 gives us an idea how the people of God ought to dress to face the enemy. We are fighting a spiritual war even when this is displayed physically. Satanic forces are always in full array for their attacks; and we too, must be fully armed with the weapons of warfare to face the forces of darkness (Ephesians 6:10-18). We will be ineffective against this evil force if we are without the right amour.
The Weapons of Fasting, Prayer, The Word and Faith
Matthew 17:20-21 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
Apart from the weapons listed in Ephesians 6 and Isaiah 59; there are also the weapons for fasting, prayer and faith in God which are necessary for this warfare. Ezra and the people needed God’s help when they were returning from exile. Ezra 8:21, “Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.” Their supplications were answered by God. Ezra 8:23 “So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us.” Daniel sought God for answers. Daniel 10:2-3 “In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.” Daniel 9:3 “And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:…” Cornelius fasted and prayed, and God answered, Acts 10:30 “And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,…” There were other examples of people who interceded for God’s help on behalf of others, themselves or a nation. The world is in dire need for God’s intervention, what are we as believers doing? Are there any intercessors?
I Thessalonians 5:8, identified other weapons of warfare. “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.” We must move with purpose, determination, and with a goal in mind that our expectation is victory. Obviously, we cannot help anyone if we do not have love for those who are suffering at the hands of evil oppressors. Satan’s aim is to take as many souls as possible with him to hell. We have an opportunity to do that which is pleasing unto God, and this means reaching for the lost and dying whom the enemy has deluded and fed with lies and deceit. While Jesus tarries there is hope; but we must reach out to lost souls now. We must have compassion and do our part to win the world for Christ, but this can only be done by the use of spiritual weapons (II Corinthians 10:3-6).
Are you troubled by what you have seen and heard? Does anything matters to you? Are you contending for the faith? What is your position concerning the lost and dying? It is time for tele-evangelists to lay aside their greed, pump and pride and seek the souls of the lost and dying, and tell them about Jesus’ love and care for them (John 3:16-17).
A word of warning: do not be like Samson who thought that he still had the power to go out and face the enemy. What he did not know was that his power came from God, and he was not his own to dress and undress as he liked.
Judges 16:20-21 “And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him. But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.”
Prayer: Mondays, Wednesdays, & Saturdays @ 6:00 am Thursdays: Prayer, Fasting, & Bible Study @ 10:00 1m Sundays: 4:00 pm All are invited. Call 678 964-4096 [Text & Voice] for information
Comments