Ephesians 1:11-14
Verses 11-12 In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory.
War is never something to be entered into lightly. There needs to be plans made, equipment readied, training done for specific situations and troops gathered from all their different places. Before all that begins a reason for going to war has to be established. A nation doesn’t go to war because they are bored or because the leader wants to see if his army has what it takes to be warriors. No, there must be a reason the other nation has been chosen to go against.
Some of those reasons are merely human, a desire for more land, wanting the other nation’s population added to their own or maybe the resources that land has to offer. Other wars are more for the greater good of a larger population. This happens when a country notices others being mistreated or being taken advantage of. There are also times when a religious group will think they have the right to take another land or people for their own desires.
Our fighting in God’s army is not about any such human reasoning. Ours is a spiritual war but it isn’t a war of the flesh. The purpose of our war isn’t about gaining what belongs to the enemy, but fighting for God’s glory. The enemy would love to steal this glory for himself. Reverence which is due to the Lord alone is the thing the enemy longs to have. This is why he tries to make evil things look like things of God. Sometimes the enemy creates buzz words or phrases which seem like they come from Scripture but are actually against it.
Things like “follow your heart” and “God wants you happy, healthy and wealthy” are nothing more than leading us to turn our focus away from God and place them back on ourselves. The Bible actually tells us the heart is deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9) and as followers of Christ we can’t expect to be treated any better than He was (John 15:18-21). We mentioned the other day how the enemy is trying to pull us onto his side and this is a tactic he uses. When we follow God into battle for the Lord’s glory instead of our own, He will get the glory and we will be standing firm in His ranks. Our hope must be fully in the Lord our God.
Making It Personal
What does it mean to you to put your hope in God? Do you give Him the glory for winning the battles of the enemy you are in? What battle do you need God’s strength in today?
Making It Personal Kids
What is hope? What do you think glory is? How can you give glory to Jesus?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for calling us to be in Your army. Give us the truth we need to stand strong and tall with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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