Numbers 13:30 (NKJV)
Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.”
There are so many promises of God that we are yet to take possession of. Like the Israelites in Caleb’s day, many are afraid of the warfare that is necessary to claim our possessions. We often view ourselves as “grasshoppers” and our adversaries as giants. This does not have to be the case, as we have the greatest teacher of warfare as our Father. He is not only able, but willing, to train us for the battle.
Let us examine what the scriptures teach about our Father and His teaching methods on warfare.
Psalms 144:1 Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle—
– God is the one who trains us for warfare.
Exodus 15:3 The Lord is a man of war; the Lord is His name.
– God has experience, as He is a man of war.
Exodus 24:8, 10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.
– God has proven himself to be strong and mighty in battle. He leads a host, an army of warriors and is known as the King of glory.
Deuteronomy 20: 1, 4 “When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt… for the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.
– We should not fear battles, because God is with us.
Psalms
18: 31-34, 39 – For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? It is God
who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like
the feet of deer,
and sets me
on my high places. He teaches my hands to make war,
so that my arms can bend a bow
of bronze.For You have armed me with strength for the battle;
You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.
(arms) God equips or furnishes us with what is needed for the battle.
(makes) He transforms us that we become like what is needed to gain victory.
(sets) He causes us to stand firm and hold our ground on the battlefields that have been assigned to us.
(teaches)He disciplines, trains, or causes my hands to become accustomed to fighting, battles, war.
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds….
– We are given weapons of warfare that are mighty IN God. Important to note is the fact that although we participate in the battle, it is IN and THROUGH God that we have the victory.
Ephesians 6: 10-11 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
– Not only are we are given weapons of warfare, but we are also given armor – protective gear that will make us able to stand unharmed, ready and prepared to face the cunning arts, deceit, craftiness, and trickery of the devil.
Psalms 60:12 Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies.
Psalms 44: 4-5 You are my King, O God; Command victories for Jacob. Through You we will push down our enemies; through Your name we will trample those who rise up against us.
– God trains and equips us for battle. We partner with Him in the fight, but He is the one who brings the victory.
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