ENGAGE IN THE BATTLE! Or turn back in the day of battle? “The children of Ephraim, being armed and carrying bows, Turned back in the day of battle. They did not keep the covenant of God; They refused to walk in His law,” Psalms 78:9-10 This Psalm speaks of some well-known act of cowardice of Ephraim, (a name for the northern 10 kingdoms) in leaving their brethren (Judah and Benjamin) to fight the battle alone.
The Ephraimites were like cowards who flee in battle, and failed to fight for the cause of God. The exact battle is not mentioned, but the reason for their cowardice was their distrust in God. See, the battle reveals your heart and whether or not you really trust Him. And then because of your distrust of God, fear set ins and disobedience ensues so that you turn back in the day of battle, leaving your brethren to fight alone. The psalm convenes by proclaiming that God rejected Ephraim and chose Judah.
The same scenario is found in the story of Joshua and Caleb. These were the only two men out of thousands who were allowed to enter the Promised land. Those who flee in the day of battle show themselves to not be trustworthy; not only to God but to their brethren. You leave your brethren to fight the battle alone. I’m not sure if you realize this, but there’s a battle raging against Christians and the church.
Persecution has started and is only going to get worse. Will you flee the battle? The enemy uses fear and intimidation and he’s not backing down. God equips you for the battle, but if your heart has not been prepared to stand fast, you will flee in fear. Will you bow down to your idols of comfort and safety or will you stand with your brethren, engage the battle and fight for the cause of God?#runyourrace
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