Sunday 19/January/2014

By Pastor Nahimana Dieudonne

HOW TO PREPARE FOR BATTLE 

On Wednesday we looked at Joshua chapter 2 and saw that Joshua secretly sent 2 spies to investigate and find out as much information as possible about the land they were going to conquer. They stayed with Rahab and she became their source of information. And we concluded that we as well, must be determined to look for our "Rahab" (it could be a person who is already performing well in the area that God is calling you to, google,a book, etc.), the one who will give us information and enable to inspect the territory that we are going to conquer.

Today we are looking at how to prepare for battle 

Joshua chapter 3:5-12 is our scripture reference (kindly read the passage to understand the rest of the sermon). The people who are able to take over the land and be conquerors are those who are sanctified and don't do things contradictory to the will of God. That's why Joshua told the Israelite to consecrate themselves. Hence because of the ark of the covenant, the Israelite were required to believe in God and do what the word says. 

 This also applies to us as children of God: each time we want to see victory, we need to obey what the Holy Spirit tells us to do. 

Ephesians 6: 10-18 (kindly check it out) talks about the full armor of God that we must put on at all times to resist the attacks of the enemy. It's not God who will dress us up with this armor, but we must put it on at all times. So we required to put on:

• Truth as a belt around our waist: Walking in sincerity and not hypocrisy. When we hide our weaknesses and try to act righteous and yet we are struggling with sin or weaknesses, we are giving a way to the enemy. It is good that we acknowledge that we need the Grace of God, that we are able to win and do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
•   The breastplate of righteousness:  Walking in the righteousness that we have received from Christ. That is, our behavior manifesting who we are. What we are spiritually must be manifested physically.
• Our feet sandaled with readiness for the Gospel of Peace: Being ready to testify of Christ at all times, so that other people can be saved
• The shield of Faith: Faith is our shield. There is always a word from the bible that we have to believe/ stand upon and confess when we are going through tough times. This is what will defeat the enemy
• The Helmet of Salvation:  being assured that we are saved  and not doubting our salvation because of one thing or another
• The Sword of the Spirit: The word enables us to attack the enemy and cause us to chase him away from a given territory. 

Whatever your Goliath is today, you need to make a step of faith like David and throw the stone at him. It is not the small stone that David threw at Goliath that killed him because he fell on his face and not on his back. Goliath was killed by the power of God that worked through the faith of David. The battle is the Lord. Make a decision not to allow the enemy to use his malice in your life again.