The Spiritual Forces Behind Words
Do you think that mere words are strategy and power for war? In whom do you now trust, that you have rebelled against me?
During a battle with the Assyrian king and his armies, Israel was challenged to come to grips with whose words had the proper spiritual forces behind them. Either they would trust in God and his words or they would fall in line with the Assyrian way of thinking. I like what was said: “Do you think that mere words are strategy and power for war?” The implication is that Israel was very foolish to resist the Assyrian king and his armies. Behind his words were an excess of 185,000 soldiers skilled in demolishing and destroying cities and beating armies for their king. They boasted that one division was all that was needed to take the city of Jerusalem. But after a season of prayer and humility before God, this reversal came:
For I will defend this city to save it, for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David.” And that night the angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when people arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies.
Then what would the answer be to this impelling question? “Do you think that mere words are strategy and power for war?” Oh, I think it is obvious. Yes, I know that God’s words are not vain or empty ones. They are living and powerful words. They are more than enough to be a strategy and a force for war.
In world war 2, there was a division of the United States Army in the European battle field. Their commander directed each soldier and unit of soldiers to read Psalm 91 daily.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge— no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
Throughout their entire time in World War 2, this division never suffered one single casualty and was successful in every venture that they engaged in against the enemy. They could answer the question: “Do you think that mere words are strategy and power for war?” Yes, it is not a foolish thing to trust in the Living God and to believe his words.
Can I say it to myself and to anyone listening? God says to us today: “When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
Lord Jesus, to the core of our being we desire to know the reality of your salvation in our lives. Our thoughts need to be filled with your thoughts. Our emotions need to be pruned and purged from Satan’s projections and reactions. Visit us and answer our hearts cry to you. Amen!!!