Author: Kenneth

Winning the Battle

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Deuteronomy 20 New International Version 

Going to War

20 When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them,because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. He shall say: “Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”

The officers shall say to the army: “Has anyone built a new house and not yet begun to live in it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else may begin to live in it. Has anyone planted a vineyard and not begun to enjoy it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else enjoy it. Has anyone become pledged to a woman and not married her? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else marry her.” Then the officers shall add, “Is anyone afraid or fainthearted? Let him go home so that his fellow soldiers will not become disheartened too.” When the officers have finished speaking to the army, they shall appoint commanders over it.

  1. Sound the battle cry! See, the foe is nigh;
    Raise the standard high for the Lord;
    Gird your armour on, stand firm every one;
    Rest your cause upon His holy Word.

    • Refrain:
      Rouse, then, soldiers, rally round the banner,
      Ready, steady, pass the word along;
      Onward, forward, shout aloud, “Hosanna!”
      Christ is Captain of the mighty throng.
  2. Strong to meet the foe, marching on we go,
    While our cause we know must prevail;
    Shield and banner bright, gleaming in the light,
    Battling for the right we ne’er can fail.
  3. O Thou God of all, hear us when we call,
    Help us one and all by Thy grace;
    When the battle’s done, and the vict’ry’s won,
    May we wear the crown before Thy face.

The Wrong Road

The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

Proverbs 4:18

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Today’s Scripture & Insight: Proverbs 4:10–19

“We went to a nudist colony!” my school-aged daughter announced upon returning home from holiday with a friend’s family.

“We were looking for a park,” her friend’s dad mumbled with embarrassment. “The worst thing was I couldn’t find a place to turn round. We passed more and more naked people before I finally found somewhere!” Clearly mortified, he apologised several times for exposing our child to rather more than we had expected.

My friend had unintentionally driven down the wrong road. This is something the book of Proverbs warns us about frequently. We can travel two roads in life: the “the path of the righteous,” which “shines ever brighter” or “the way of the wicked,” which is like “deep darkness” (Proverbs 4:18–19). Sometimes it’s obvious which road we are choosing to travel. Other times, like for my friend, we only realise we’re on the wrong road when it’s already too late.

We can ask ourselves, are my pursuits bringing me closer to Jesus, the light of the world? Or are they getting in the way? Our paths either lead to greater light or to more darkness. Ask yourself, where are you heading?

It’s never too late to seek Jesus’ guidance. This is the wisdom that will “lead you along straight paths” (v. 11). Bring your desires and goals to Him; He will lead you along the road that’s filled with His shining light.