Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
6/18 Reading Portions: Deuteronomy 23; Psalms 112-113; Isaiah 50; Revelation 20
Deuteronomy 23:9
“When you are encamped against your enemies, then you shall keep yourself from every evil thing.”
VICTORY
Although this was a very real command for the armies of Israel, the commandment finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Our Lord was the only one who has ever kept Himself from every evil thing (Heb 4:15).
Now, as those saved through Christ Jesus, this verse has spiritual application for us. The New Testament calls us soldiers of Jesus Christ (2 Tim 2:3). While our enemy is the unseen forces of darkness (Eph 6:12), the weapons of our warfare are spiritual, not carnal (2 Cor 10:3-6). Until the Lord Jesus returns, we are in a spiritual battle. We are at war with the unseen enemies of the cross. This is why there are no small works in Jesus Christ. Everything done for Christ’s exaltation and the advancement of His kingdom requires all of God’s grace, the blessing of Christ’s presence, and every bit of the Spirit’s power. Because of that, we should be just as prayerful when scrubbing toilets in the church building, as we should be in preparing to share the gospel with another soul or even preaching the gospel from the pulpit.
We have been saved by God’s grace; and therefore, we should take seriously this eternal call. When we consider the spiritual warfare which is taking place all around us, we will pray, plead, and seek protection from Christ. Then His presence, keeps us from every evil thing. Remember, as A. W. Tozer rightly said, “It is not the praying sheep Satan fears but the presence of the Shepherd.” Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Daily we face spiritual foes,
On Christ we must depend;
We pray and Christ to battle goes
To conquer and defend.