Lesson 351: “Onward Christian Soldiers"
False doctrines teach that if you join their church/organization/assembly/beliefs your troubles are over. Some congregational preachers/pastors will only preach love and prosperity and continuous good health if you are saved. This is simply not true! We must realize that our Christian battles last a lifetime. Recognize your enemies and understand that some of your battles will be against giants. The saints of old fought daily but continued to look to God for their survival. We must all do as Abraham did when he pleaded for Sodom (Gen. 18:16-33). We need to know when to flee when the battle is finished as with Jacob and his father-in-law (Gen. 31:1-55), when you meet a long time enemy/brother (Gen. 33:1-19) and like Jacob, sometimes God must wrestle us to the ground to open our eyes (Gen. 32:22-32). Joseph fought for his life against all kinds of odds (Gen. 37:17-28, 39:1-20) but God was with him (Gen. 39:21) just like He promised to be with each and everyone today (Heb. 13:5).
David and his men engaged in four final battles at the end of the King’s life. The names of the men he fought are given in 2nd Samuel 21 but I would like to give to you the meaning of these names so that you can associate the giants David fought to the giants in your own battles. Ishbi-Benob, a descendant of Rapha (giants) means pride and self-confidence. Sibbecai, another descendant of Rapha means two faced, lying, deceitful, hypocritical or changing your personality to fit in with the crowd. The battle at Gath does not mention a name but states the giant had six fingers on each hand and sex toes on each foot and also a descendant of Rapha. The name Gath means to grab or hold, to covet material things and wanting all they can get. The brother of Goliath is the giant of gossip and totally negative.
Throughout these lifetime battles we must never give up or quit fighting. If we quit then God will ask ‘why’ like He did with Elijah when he hid in a cave. “What are you doing here, Elijah” (1 Kings 19:9)? Jonah ran away from God’s directions too and ended up in the belly of a great fish and then God gave him another chance to “proclaim the message I give you” (Jon. 3:2). The risen Christ asked Paul; “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me” (Acts 9:3-6)? God has a plan for each life (Jer. 29:11-14) and when He commands you to do something He will see that it comes about (Isa. 46:11). However, if you are disobedient or reluctant to do God’s will, you will be replaced just like David replaced Saul and Elisha replaced Elijah. These battles are tests either arranged or allowed by God so that we might learn and grow and we must never quit fighting, learning or growing.
ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS, MARCHING AS TO WAR.
WITH THE CROSS OF JESUS GOING ON BEFORE!