Proverbs 24: 3 – 5 (NCV) “It takes wisdom to have a good family, and it takes understanding to make it strong. It takes knowledge to fill a home with rare and beautiful treasures. Wise people have great power, and those with knowledge have great strength.”
A few years back our Senior Pastor presented a series he title “Warrior.” His point for the series was simply God is a Warrior (Ex. 15:3) and He created us with a warrior’s heart. Each week in this series, he talked about the righteous cause that each and every one of us has in our life and how we have been called to fight for that cause. Reading through Proverbs 24, I was reminded of my righteous cause…my family – my husband and son. I had to stop and think about the progress I’ve made, if any, towards my righteous cause.
As difficult as this battle I’m fighting is, I know in my head I haven’t lost the war. It’s tough to be reminded of the “battle” when everything in me wants to head for the hills…because it’s hard. It’s hard to pray when you don’t know how to pray…or what to pray for. But life is hard. Jesus never told us this life would be easy, in fact John 16:33 tells us we will have trouble. But we are to be courageous because He overcame the world.
As I grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I continue to fill our home with rare and beautiful treasures whether I realize it or not. According to Proverbs 24:5, those with knowledge have great strength. “Great strength??” humph Some days I feel like cowering in the corner and crying “UNCLE” at the top of my lungs. I even told two friends yesterday that I just wanted to get in my car and keep driving. But that’s just not realistic. God doesn’t want us running away…He wants me to engage in the battle knowing that as I grow in grace and knowledge He will give me great strength to face every battle I face. In fact, He will even go before me in battle (Isaiah 45:2).
After reading Proverbs 24, I was encouraged to hang in there and continue to fight for my righteous cause. It’s not that I’ve given up, I think I’ve just grown weary…. REALLY WEARY! Now it’s time to re-engage. It’s up to me to continue to gain wisdom and understanding (read my Bible and pray), then search for truth and knowledge (read my Bible and pray) and finally don’t give up. Why? Because there is a harvest ahead if I stand and fight! (Gal. 6:9)
So, what righteous cause are you fighting for? Or do you have a righteous cause you need to re-engage in?
Here are a few things to keep in mind during the thick of the fight:
- Keep P-U-S-H-ing. (Keep Praying Until Something Happens)
- You are not alone, Jesus is always beside you!
- Stay in the Bible. Find truths, promises by reading your Bible every day…yes even if you don’t feel like it! God will give you truth for that day.
- Put your thoughts and prayers on paper. Keeping a journal is a great way to get all the “stuff” inside of you out on paper. It will also allow you to look back and see how God has been working in your situation.
- Remember you are not fighting in your own strength! God is fighting for you.
Related reading: Eph. 6:10 – 18; Psalm 37:4 – 7
So let’s make this practical. Think about a truth you have been wrestling with for a while. I know for me, it was the issue of being a submissive wife. I struggled in this area for years because it was hard for me to submit when my husband and I were in two completely opposite places spiritually. The reality I faced was that the God’s word is, was, and will always be the truth. I can accept it and be blessed or reject it and hinder my spiritual growth. Just because my husband and I were in two spiritually different places did not mean that I had the option to ignore the truth. As a Godly wife, I still have to submit to my husband as to the Lord (Eph 5:22).
We have all been called on purpose for a purpose and will stand before God one day and give an account for our lives. If there are things in my life I’m holding onto for my own reasons…. unforgiveness, anger, jealously, hate, my own dreams and desires, etc… I need to repent (turn from those reasons) and allow Christ to lead me down the path He has for me. This may not always be the path I would have chosen for myself…but I guarantee there will be abundant blessing that flow from being obedient to Christ and His plans for my life.
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