Being With The Army of God

 

Just like other people, Christians will face different hardships living on this earth. But God has promised that He will be with us (Matthew 1:23, 28:20; John 14:16). According to the Bible, God will sometimes let people see His Heavenly Army with their own eyes when they lack faith, so that they will know He is with them, and therefore the timid may be emboldened.

 

When allaying hatred and bitterness - The greatest difficulty confronting Jacob when he left Paddan Aram with his whole family was not disengagement from his selfish, mean uncle Laban, but how to contend with the brother he had twice cheated. So when Esau brought four hundred men to greet him, he was fearful and distressed. But he was determined to face up to the mistakes he made, and resolve the hatred and bitterness between himself and his brother. So he offered gifts and humbly bowed down before his brother to ask for acceptance. God knew Jacobˇ¦s fear and had compassion on his weakness even before Esauˇ¦s arrival, so He allowed Jacob to meet His regiment, so that Jacob would know that the Army of God was with his family for their protection and guidance. Jacob named that place Mahanaim, meaning two camps (Genesis 32:1-2). Dear brothers and sisters. If you feel remorseful about mistakes made in the past, and wish to settle any estrangement with others but are fearful of the persons you have hurt, donˇ¦t forget the experience of Jacob. If you have the will to allay the hatred and bitterness, and submit to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, God will assist you, and will even send two camps of His soldiers to help you work out the problem.

 

When bearing a great responsibility - Joshua the successor to Moses was a mighty warrior. He fought many battles during the forty years when the Israelites wandered in the wilderness (Exodus 17:9; Deuteronomy 3:24), and had great victories. After Moses died, Joshua felt very lonely and frightened because he had to bear the great responsibility of leading the Israelites into Canaan, destroying strong foes and taking over their lands. It was a very daunting mission. Joshua was afraid of bearing this responsibility for several reasons: (1) He lost the mentor from whom he could seek advice when the great servant of God he had followed for many years died. (2) It was no easy task to lead a crowd of over two million into battle. Besides, they were all the descendents of those who rebelled and had no faith. (3) The seven tribes of Canaan were formidable adversaries with powerful fighters, strong horses, fortified cities and swift chariots. (4) After crossing the Jordan, they not longer saw the pillars of fire and cloud nor received the miracle of Manna. Joshua and the people felt as though they had instantaneously lost the proof that God was with them every day. At this time, God sent the commander of His army to meet Joshua to show that He was still with the people (Joshua 5:13-15). God wishes that those who have been believers for many years will not live just by reliance on sight and senses, but by the word of God and faith.

 

When besieged and helpless - The king of Aram sent a large force to besiege the city of Dothan in order to eliminate Elisha, because the man of God revealed his military secrets time and again to the king of Israel. When the servant of Elisha woke up in the morning and saw the city surrounded by the enemyˇ¦s troops, horses and chariots, he was terrified and in a panic. But Elisha was calm and composed, and full of confidence. He even prayed for his servant, saying, ˇ§O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.ˇ¨ Then God opened the servant's eyes, and he saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha (2 Kings 6:17). Elisha also petitioned God to strike the entire army of Aram with blindness, so that they fell into the hands of the king of Israel. Dear brothers and sisters. Are you in a state of desperation? Do you feel frightened and as though there is no way out? Please do not forget that you are the children of God. He will protect and look after you. Our Lord Jesus Christ has promised, ˇ§I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.ˇ¨ (John 10:28)

 

Thank God! In this age of the New Testament, God is pleased to be with those who belong to Him through the Holy Spirit. Christ said, ˇ§And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.ˇ¨ (John 14:16)

 

By: Daniel To