Given February 28, 2007

“Open our eyes to the assignment you’ve given us.” This was my prayer on this morning during devotion time. Here’s how it came about.

I saw a group of new soldiers gathered before the general. They were asking him for all the rewards and benefits of being a soldier and he was about to give them their orders. He aknowledged the benefits but said, “Now men, it’s time to go into battle.”

They were shocked and suprized! They were saying, “What do you mean? We have to fight to get the rewards?” They hadn’t signed up for that; they didn’t understand.

God made me aware that we, as Christians, are like that. We, “sign up” to be a Christian, go to church, and expect all these rewards and benefits to just come our way. We don’t realize that sometime we have to fight for the cause. Many churches are preaching the benefits and not mentioning the fight. “And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God. Deuteronomy 28:2“. Part of what the Lord is saying that we are to hearken to is to be strong, believe and not doubt, use the authority and name of Jesus, and go fight the enemy. God told Joshua, “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:7“.

“Open our eyes, Lord, to the assignment you’ve given us.” May we all see what’s involved in being a Christian Soldier.