The Battle

We know the story of the twelve spies sent into the land of Canaan. Twelve respected men of Israel--no doubt, recognized leaders, good warriors, trusted men--were sent into the land that they might return with the fruits of the land to inform and to encourage their brethren. And the land was exactly as promised--flowing with milk and honey and guaranteed to be theirs by the promise of God. They came back with abundant evidence that the land was as rich as God said it would be. There was one problem though: the enemy was there. Big ones. And they knew they couldn't defeat them.
They were right, of course. The enemy was there. There can be no victory without a battle, without an enemy. And the enemy was certainly too great for them to defeat on their own. But God had promised them victory through His power and His presence. "I can do all things through Christ who is my strength." "Thanks be to God who has given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." Yes, we can rest assured that the enemy is there--that there can be no victorious Christian life without a foe to conquer, without a struggle. Oh, I don't know what your enemy is: spiritual pride, discouragement, fear, procrastination, lust, selfish ambition, materialism, discontent, loneliness, depression, an unforgiving spirit, fear, impatience, pessimism disguised as cynicism, carnal habits, the desire for acceptance. You may face several of these enemies every day. Most of us do. I sure do. Yes, the enemy is there, and I know "him" well. But the fruit to be harvested for the Lord is plentiful too: the "milk and honey" He has promised His reapers.
So be good cheer. "He has overcome the world." Do not cower before your enemies. He has given us a spirit of love, of power, and of a disciplined mind. He has not given us the spirit of fear. That we have to manufacture ourselves. "Be strong and very courageous." "Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might." Tragically, these men not only lost the battle for themselves, but they led an entire generation of God's people down the road of fear and failure as well. God demands courage as we progress out of the wilderness and into the place of victory and rest. Courage comes from living as if the promises of God that we claim to be true actually are--because they are. Don't choose to spend your life wandering from place to place empty because of an enemy who hasn't the slightest chance of defeating you if you trust in Him and live a life of obedience. Yes, trust in the Captain of your faith. He hasn't lost a battle yet, and He never will.
And remember, there are always people following you down whichever path you take--to a victorious life or to a defeated life. Where will you and I lead them?