Bible Reading: Psalm 78: 1-72
“The children of Ephraim, being armed and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle” – Psalm 78:9(KJV)
An understanding of the fact that living as a Christian in this perverse world is being in continuous warfare. Our warfare is not against flesh and blood (it would have been easier) but against spiritual forces; “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh” – 2 Corinthians 10:3(KJV). We are in battle daily, and he that goes to battle must always be on guide, alert and sensitively cautious. In the battle we are fighting, our contenders are not men with flesh and blood, they are satanic agents operating in the dark covers of the earth. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood , but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” – Ephesians 6:12(KJV). It is therefore expected that our readiness for such consistent and continuous battle must be paramount.
Left alone to fight this battle, we do not have the wherewithal to prosecute it. We need to be totally dependent on God. We must be complete in our trust and confidence on God’s ability for victory against these unseen enemies. For us to successfully fight and win this war we must be in constant harmony with the Almighty God. We will not indulge in the things that God hates. We must put on the whole armour of God and be spiritually sensitive. This is what the tribe of Ephraim (representing Israel) lacked when they went to war. They went to war ill-prepared. They have not made peace with their God. They have not been grateful to God for his past deliverances. Because of their very poor spiritual state they turned their back in battle, this signifying defeat. They went into the battle of the spirit with carnal weapons. They lost the leadership of the Almighty God and relied on their human skill to prosecute the war. Their sins were enumerated in the later verses of 10 and 11 as follows:-
- They kept not the covenant of God. They broke their agreement with God and lost their harmony with him
- They refused to walk in the laws of God. They were rebellious. They refuse to adhere to divine instructions.
- They forgot his works and wonders that he had showed them. They were ungrateful. They did not appreciate God for his mighty deeds in their midst. They took the works and wonders of God among them for granted and never gave him thanks.
These sins, enumerated above, are common with us today. How many of us are cautiously guiding our covenant with God? God entered into an everlasting covenant with us in Christ Jesus. That covenant was sealed with the blood of Jesus Christ. How many of us are keeping to the terms of that covenant? How often do we go outside divine instruction? How have we appreciated the Almighty God for his salvation and deliverance? Have we taken for granted the works of our God and consequently treat it with levity? The mistake of Ephraim is written for our correction in life. We need to learn from such experience and know how to direct our affairs in life and manage our relationship with God, our father.
Prayer: O God, help me to always show my gratefulness for all your wonderful works in my life. Help me not to take you and your works for granted.
Bro. Joel Ezeugo