“And it came to pass at the time when kings go forth to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him to war. . . But David tarried still at Jerusalem.”—2 Samuel 11:1.
Beforehand, David was always at the forefront of battle. Last year, Joab and his men were delivered from the Syrians and the Ammonites, but they did not win a decisive victory. The conclusive triumph only came when David led all of Israel into the battle. David slew 700 men in chariots, 40,000 horsemen and personally smote the captain of the Syrian host.—2 Sam 10.
Both through custom and experience David knew, “I need to be in the fight.” Alas, he remained at Jerusalem. If David had attended to what God wanted, he never would have attended to what God did not want!
The Devil will tempt old warriors with battle fatigue. After all, we have our excuse; we have fought more than our share of wars. There are the affairs of state or our local church, which require our attention. We deserve the solace of the palace and our family.
The old warrior must constantly rouse himself and beware, when he thinks he stands less he falls. War against Israel’s enemies had always kept David focused and strong against the temptation of the flesh and the wiles of the devil, who at this very time was plotting against David to bring him down.
Fall is the time when campus preachers go off war against sin, death and Satan. If we don’t take the offensive against the Evil One, then we become vulnerable to his fiery darts.
August 19, at Purdue University, I will rouse myself from the comforts of Jerusalem and invade the campuses wearing the whole armor of God and wielding the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
Brother Jed & Co. need our friends on the home front to arise and be counted at one of the 10 “Liberators” to give $1000 now or to pledge yourself to be one of the new 10 monthly donors. Dig deep into your pockets to finance this mission, my friends.