Warriors, or Worriers?...the Wayfarer

2 years, 2 months ago

Warriors, or Worriers?

“And the vale of Sidim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.

And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorah, and all their victuals, and went their way.

And they took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.

And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.

And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.

And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.”

(Genesis 14:10-16)

Worrier, or Warrior? Abraham was not one to sit idle while his family was taken and placed into danger and slavery!

Although a peaceful man, a sojourner in a land foreign to him and his family, seeking only to settle and raise a family, feed his herds and live peaceably with his neighbors, he did not hesitate when action was required.

It was not for personal gain, booty, or bounty, or a means by which to enrich himself or his family that he was spurred to motion, but by concern and love of his nephew, and his family.

There was no reluctance to act, no worry. There was only the attitude of “NO, THIS WILL NOT STAND!” and action needed was taken.

This held true, not only for Abraham, but for all his progeny since as well.

This chapter of Genesis goes on to recount Abram’s meeting with Melchizedek, who was the priest of the most High God, the blessing received from him, and Abram’s refusal to take anything not belonging to him from those who would have used this to hamstring any effort to serve that very God.

The scripture is full of those who were never worriers, but chose to be warriors, both for their people and for their GOD.

Included among these were such as Joshua, Samson, David, and many others all within the lineage of our Savior, himself no worrier, but a warrior for his Father who refused to surrender, refused to be defeated by any forces that would deny the purpose of his mission to bring forgiveness and love to a world that no longer honored that Father and the simple commandments issued by Him to remain His children and reap the rewards that belong to them by being those children.

“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law,

And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.”

(Matthew 10:32-38)

Part of taking that cross should, and must include taking the attitude of the warrior for Him, not the worrier concerned only with the judgment given them by their fellow men, no matter who those men are.

Part of carrying that cross must be the willingness to defend its very purpose for having been used to begin with.

The sword, brought by Christ, was powerful indeed and is just as powerful now as it was when he spoke those words recorded in Matthew.

It was nothing less than the TRUTH that was given us. It is only through that TRUTH that the Way may be found to the promised LIFE that was and is still given through it.

Warrior, or worrier, which are you?

“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”

(Revelation 22:12)

I close once more, that same simple sinner saved only by grace through faith in the TRUTH as given by my Lord, soldier and willing warrior anticipating the reward only obtainable through that TRUTH.

As the world spins ever closer to the day promised that it will no longer spin and eternity will begin my prayer remains, even so come quickly Lord Jesus!

Amen and Amen
the Wayfarer