READING: Exodus 22-24
We’ve seen before in our readings that God is the warrior who fights our battles for us. When we remember this truth, we need not be defeated in the battles we face every day. God simply does not lose.
On the other hand, God does expect us to be obedient to Him if we expect Him to fight on our behalf:
"But if you will carefully obey him [a guiding angel] and do everything I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes. For My angel will go before you and bring you to the land of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and Jebusites, and I will wipe them out. You must not bow down to their gods or worship them” (Exo. 23:22-24)
God would send His angel to drive out the enemies. He would defeat them on behalf of His people. Don’t miss, though, the “bookends” that surround this word: (1) His people were to obey everything He said, and (2) they were particularly not to bow down to false gods in the land. By implication, any disobedience they would choose would be a snare to them — and the rest of the story will show us that reality.
God is indeed our warrior who fights for us. Why should He, however, fight on our behalf when we choose not to be obedient to Him? He does not fight for us when we are continually fighting against Him.
If you want a “secret” to winning the battles over our spiritual enemies, here it is: be obedient to God.
ACTION STEPS: Consider these steps today:
- Take time to root out any disobedience in your life. Ask God to show you anything you might be missing. Carefully obey Him.
- Make sure you’re reading God’s Word as a means to listen to Him. Don’t just read for the sake of “checking off” a devotional box. Listen to His Word today.
PRAYER: “Father, I commit to obey everything You command today. I will not turn to any false ‘gods’ — any idols — that influence my life.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Exodus 25-27
