Battle Royal
Today’s Verse:
The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. ~Proverbs 21:31
A battle royal is when two or more contestants meet for battle and the last one standing is the declared winner. Battle royals are sometimes referred to as knock-down, drag-out contests that have little predictability as to the winner. In the spiritual warfare that we are in, we know that the battle that we are in is intense. However, our Scripture this morning gives us wisdom as to how to be the winner in the battle royal that we face each day. You and I do not need to be at the mercy of the enemy. We can be consistent winners in the spiritual battle royals before us.
There is the reality of battle.
The devil, the flesh, and the world have declared an outright attack against us. There is never a day that goes by where the threat of attack is lessened or goes away. The day of battle is always before us. The enemies that we deal with don’t take days off, vacations, or leaves of absence. They are constantly strategizing about how to attack and defeat us, and they will use new strategies to test the water to see how we will react. There is the battle of the will, the battle within the house, the battle within the church, the battle at work or school, the battle of our desires, and the battle of our pride. We are constantly in a battle where our virtue, our vision, and our values are at stake.
There is the readiness for battle.
Solomon’s kingdom was marked by peace. However, that did not mean that he was not prepared against attack. He knew that he always had to be ready. He said, “The horse is prepared against the day of battle.” This meant that they were always ready to defend or to go to war. Readiness implies training exercises. Readiness implies making sure your armor is ready for you to don. Readiness means your sword, knives, spears, and arrows are sharpened. Readiness means much practice. Readiness means you are vigilant at all times. "The horse is prepared against the day of battle." If called upon, you are ready to mount your horse and go out. Jesus said, “Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.” Paul said, “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Keep an eye out for attack.
There is the reliance for battle.
How can we be assured that we can be the winner of a battle royal? Solomon said, “Safety is of the LORD.” This is where our faith comes in. Instead of trying to fight our battles in our flesh and strength, let the Lord fight your battles. “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” We must have faith in God’s protection. We must have faith in God’s power. We must have faith in God’s plan. Safety is of the Lord! Gideon looked at his motley crew of three hundred men against an army of 100,000 Midianites and probably thought, “Am I crazy?” However, the Lord gave him the victory! He let the Lord fight his battle. David looked at the giant Goliath and quickly assessed that together with the Lord, this giant could be easily defeated. He let God fight his battle. We must do our part in being prepared. However, we must have faith in God to fight for us.
Maybe you have lost a few battle royals in this life. Cheer up! Claim the principle contained in our Scripture this morning and stop trying to win in your strength. Safety is of the Lord!
Have a victorious God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Ephesians 1-3