1 Peter 5:8-10
Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary goes about as a roaring lion, seeking for whom to devour…
• DAILY READING — 2 Timothy 4; Jeremiah 11-12; Psalm 124
Israel is today regarded as having the most technologically advanced military in the world. And it is indeed amazing that this tiny Jewish nation which is barely 70 years old, has become a superpower that is changing the way modern wars are fought. Israel is one of the world’s top weapons exporters with approximately $6.5 billion in annual arms sales. Since 1985, Israel is the world’s largest exporter of drones, responsible for about 60 percent of the global market. Israel’s customers include Russia, South Korea, Australia, France, Germany, Brazil etc. In 2010, for example, five NATO countries were flying Israeli drones in Afghanistan.
Israel has reached this advancement in its military, because of its constant state of battle readiness. Since the tiny nation of Israel became a state in 1948, they have endured repeated wars and attacks, from the larger Arab nations surrounding them. And apart from the major wars, Israel daily has to contend with terrorist attacks from radical groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, Fatah, PLO etc. These constant battles have helped Israel develop its military muscle. Israeli soldiers always live ready for the next battle.
Having a small population, to increase its military might, every Israeli citizen above 18 years, male and female, are enlisted in a 3 years mandatory military service. This way every adult in Israel is trained to be a soldier. Thus, in times of war, Israel has a much larger pool of manpower with which to fight. Though after the 3 year mandatory training people go back to their normal lives, in times of war, in a flash, they quickly pull off their civilian clothes and don their military uniform. Thus in Israel, virtually every adult is a soldier and everyone lives battle ready.
In the same vein as Christians we must live battle ready. The truth is that the tempo of spiritual warfare is increasing around the world.
Ephesians 6:12 lets us know that we are in a serious spiritual battle. We are not wrestling with flesh and blood but with principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places. In this ongoing spiritual battle we will survive based on the level of our spiritual readiness. In the Bible, Jesus severally admonished believers to watch and pray and to live ready.
I Peter 5:8-10, warns us to be sober and vigilant, because the enemy is going about as a roaring lion, seeking whom to devour.
Because life’s battle can come suddenly, we must always be prepared for war. We prepare by maintaining a fervent spiritual life, diligently studying The Bible and keeping the fire always burning on our prayer altar. And most importantly, we prepare by constantly maintaining God’s Presence around us through praise. Indeed the battle is The Lord’s. And when we engage in a praiseful lifestyle, we enter into a realm of constant victories, because of God’s Presence around us. And indeed when God is with you, no one can be against you.
PRAYER: Lord, please help me to praise You always so that Your Presence can constantly surround me. And I thank You for giving me the victory in every battle I am faced with today in Jesus Name. .
QUOTE
Praise always guarantees you power for a raise, learning to praise God in season and out of season is key to fulfilling destiny. – WORDBITE 222.
[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK REJOICE]