Spiritual Battles

This morning I was reflecting on the scripture I read the night before. The thought that came to me was that it is so important to live a life that is pleasing to God so that he can defend us. Israel, is a people chosen by God shined in victory and many nations around became very fearful. In Numbers 22 we see the king of Moab whose name was Balak became fearful and decided to find a way to bring down the might of Israel.

If we look carefully at the scripture we see that he couldn’t manage them in a physical confrontation. The scripture said in Numbers 22: 5 “Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me” Balak then decided to deal with Israel on a spiritual level. War or battles are won in the spirit before they are manifested in the natural. Balak decided to afflict the children of Israel spiritually by using the power of curses. Words are powerful and especially from a gifted and anointed person. Those who operate in darkness that use enchantments and incantations are able to afflict people but once we are walking in the anointing and blessings they cannot touch us.

Balaam who this gift was manifested in was hired because it was known that whoever he curse was cursed and whosoever he bless was blessed. Balak, the Moab king knew that once someone is walking under a curse they are bound to live a life of failure. Balak send messengers to Balaam stating in Numbers 22: 6 “Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed” To them, the importance of cursing the children of Israel was to weaken them so that they can be able to destroy them. Balak said they are too mighty for me.

As children of God and growing spiritually the enemy of our soul and those that seek to carry out his agenda will seek to afflict us. That why the Bible says in Ephesians 6: 18 “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” We must pray all prayer because at times we will not know where our battles are coming from. Our prayers can even defeat the enemy before we know it because we operate in the offensive mode of prayer. The Bible also remind us in 1 Thessalonians 5: 17 “Pray without ceasing” The enemy will not stop until he try to destroy good so we must pray without ceasing to stop all his attacks.

When David was about to face Goliath, the Bible said in 1 Samuel 17: 43 “And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods” Goliath knew he would have victory if he operate from a spiritual dimension and not from his physical strength only. Goliath started with battle of words from a spiritual level, that is in the name of his god. David did not bow in fear, he responded in 1 Samuel 17: 45 “Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied” Here David responded not in his own strength but in the name of the Almighty God, the Lord of host, the God of the army of Israel. Now the battle becomes the spirit of the gods verses the Spirit of the Living God.

Israel was victorious in both of these battles. First they were chosen by God and He had pronounce His blessings upon them therefore they had favor with God. Curse was not able to afflict them because they live under an established covenant that God made with Abraham. Secondly God had an agenda with the Philistines even way back from the time of Samson. Philistines represents hindrance to success and spiritual fulfillment. David stand as an anointed vessel of God and trusting in the power of God to deliver the nation from the enemy. One man with God is the majority.

The enemy will work by getting us busy and keep us away from the word of God and prayer so he can weaken us and have an advantage to strike again us. Let us stay focus and continue to trust in the God that cannot fail even when all seems to be at a loss. Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity to glorify Himself. Let us all fight the good fight of faith because Jesus Christ is willing to guide us and hold our hands through our battles.