Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said, “Who is on the Lord’s side? Let him come unto me.” And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him (Exodus 32:26).
The manifestations of warfare across a variety of domains reflect the universal battle between the forces of good and evil, and the ongoing spiritual conflict between God’s kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness.
This war does not allow us to embrace neutrality. We must declare our allegiance and indicate the side to which we are lending our support. God told Israel to decide: “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now, choose life, that both you and your children may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19).
When Joshua, the great military leader, encountered the commander of the army of the Lord, he enquired: “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” After being told that it was the captain of the host of the Lord, Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and worshipped (Joshua 5:13-14).
Whom do we cheer for when we hear about what is happening in our nation? Is it the hero who fights for the good of the community, or the villain, who leaves behind a trail of bloodshed and destruction?
We have a clear bias for the side we support. There are lifestyles and behaviours that we approve and idolise above others that we shun. May our priorities be accurately aligned with what God has prescribed!
The recent brutal slayings of the nation’s children, including 12-year-old schoolgirl, Mercedez Layne, should awaken every family member to the reality of this war. It takes a village to raise a child, and we, as that village, are required to strive to deliver a safe environment for all our young ones.
This is our opportunity to shake off the distractions, fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth. Today, we declare like Joshua: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”.
Jesus describes the need for this active deployment in John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
After Pharoah’s initial refusal to release Israel from Egyptian slavery, God amplified his power through a series of plagues that compelled him to let Israel leave Egypt.
That battle was won, but the war continued.
While Moses received the law on Mount Sinai, Israel quickly turned aside, made a golden calf, worshipped, and, casting off all moral restraint, indulged in whatever seemed right in their own eyes.
God, who described them as a ‘stiff-necked people’, was ready to consume them in his great anger. However, Moses stood between the Israelites and God’s wrath, interceding and pleading with him to avert their destruction (Exodus 32).
Thereafter, Moses gave Israel an ultimatum: “Who is on the Lord’s side? Let him come unto me.” That day, about 3000 men were executed for their rebellion.
Trinidad and Tobago, return to Jesus!
