Courage in the Midst of Battle
In the Book of 1 Chronicles, we find a powerful lesson on bravery and courage demonstrated by Joab, one of Israel’s finest warriors. Facing a formidable enemy attack on two fronts, Joab made a bold decision to divide his forces. He placed some warriors under the command of his brother Abishai and exhorted them with words that resonate through the ages: “Be brave! We must be courageous for the sake of our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in his eyes.” (1 Chronicles 19:13)
Dreams and Commitment
In the heart of Joab lay a strategic vision, a dream to confront the enemy with unwavering confidence, much like a powerful wind effortlessly mowing down any obstacle in its path. Moreover, his unwavering commitment to stand by Abishai’s side, supporting one another amidst insurmountable odds, epitomized the essence of genuine companionship and unwavering loyalty.
Be Brave! Embracing God’s Promise
In the Bible, we encounter numerous exhortations to be brave, reminding us that our strength comes from the Lord. When God spoke to Joshua, He urged him, “Be brave, be very brave, because I, the Lord, will be with you and will give you what I promised your forefathers – victory.” (Joshua 1:9) Our calling is not to live safe lives but to embrace the cost of following Christ, picking up our cross and following Him. It is a life of faith over fear, where fear is the devil’s tool to bring his will to pass, while faith brings to fruition the will of God.
Courage – A Precious Resource
Courage is a resource that must never be overlooked. God has gifted us with a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind, and perfect love casts out all fear. (2 Timothy 1:7; 1 John 4:18) The Bible emphasizes that we do not belong to those who shrink back in fear but to those who have faith and are saved. Courage empowers us to face insurmountable odds and walk victoriously in our journey with Christ.
Related:
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- Be ENcourage Not DIScouraged
- Don’t Be Discouraged by the Darkness: Light is upon the Coming Move of God on the Gulf Coast
- Courageous Nun in the Middle East: Voice for the Voiceless
Seeking the Lord’s Direction and Prophetic Revelation
In the midst of battles and challenges, seeking the Lord’s direction is paramount. King David, in contrast to King Saul, sought the Lord’s counsel before making decisions. He was committed to knowing God’s will and seeking His guidance in every situation. Saul didn’t seek the Lord, did what was right in his own mine and heart and God regretted ever placing him in leadership. Similarly, through a profound prophetic dream, the Lord spoke to Greg Lancaster, revealing a significant threat approaching America from the west and east. The dream unveiled rising opposition attempting to attack the nation from both sides. Like Joab faced with a two-sided attack, America too will find itself confronted by dual challenges. The Lord specifically told Greg Lancaster, “They will attack America from the east and from the west, but we will defeat them, we will mow them over.”
With this prophetic word from the Lord, seeking His direction becomes even more critical. We can find assurance in the coming battle, knowing that the Lord will grant us victory. However, this victory will require bravery and courage as we stand and fight. Just as Joab declared, we must be ready to shift our focus to the side where we are experiencing the greatest battles. Seeking the Lord’s guidance empowers us to choose our battles wisely, aligning ourselves with His purposes, and experiencing His divine guidance and favor. Like King David, let us seek the Lord’s direction diligently, placing our trust in His wisdom and sovereignty as we face the challenges ahead.
The Lord’s Will and His Goodness
Joab’s proclamation, “The Lord will do what is good in his eyes,” reminds us of the humility needed when facing battles. Presumption and pride can lead us to trust in our strength rather than God’s. Victory comes from the Spirit of the Lord, not our own power. We must humbly submit to God’s will, understanding that even in defeat, there may be a greater purpose at work – discipline and refinement to bring us back to righteousness.
Conclusion:
In the tapestry of biblical wisdom and prophetic revelation, we find an unyielding call to bravery and courage in the face of life’s battles. Just as Joab, one of Israel’s finest warriors, stood resolute against a two-sided attack, so must we, like the nation of America, face the challenges that approach us from the east and west.
The Lord, through His divine guidance and prophetic dream, assured Greg Lancaster of victory over these adversaries. This assurance instills within us the unshakable faith to confront the trials that lie ahead. Embracing the call to be brave, we must rely on the precious resource of courage that God has bestowed upon us. With a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind, we become empowered to overcome any odds that may confront us in our journey with Christ.
Seeking the Lord’s direction diligently, just as King David did, becomes our anchor amidst uncertainty. As we navigate through the battles that come our way, aligning ourselves with God’s purposes, we experience His divine guidance and favor. The call to humility, acknowledging that the Lord’s will and goodness prevail, reminds us to lay aside pride and presumption. In every outcome, victory or defeat, we rest in the knowledge that God’s greater plan is at work, disciplining and refining us for righteousness.
In the coming days, let us be brave and courageous, standing firm in the assurance of God’s promises. Like Joab, let us be ready to shift and face the challenges head-on, trusting in the Lord’s leading and direction. As we seek the Lord, align ourselves with His purposes, and walk in His wisdom, we will rise victorious, mowing down every obstacle that dares to stand against us.
Therefore, in the face of adversity, let our hearts echo the powerful words spoken by Joab: “Be brave! We must be courageous for the sake of our people and our God.” With unwavering faith and determination, we rise to meet the battles ahead, knowing that the Lord Himself declares, “We’re going to defeat them. We’re going to mow them over.”
Five things we learn:
- Bravery and courage are essential attributes in facing life’s battles.
- Seeking the Lord’s direction through prayer and prophetic insight empowers us to overcome challenges.
- Trusting in God’s promises and relying on His strength leads to victory.
- Humility allows us to submit to God’s will and discover His greater purpose in all outcomes.
- God’s guidance and wisdom enable us to choose our battles wisely, aligning ourselves with His purposes for triumph.