Worshipping Warriors
“Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand” (Psalm 149:6)
July 23
George Washington sent out this request to his troops during the siege of Yorktown, “The Commander-in-Chief earnestly recommends that the troops not on duty should universally attend, with that seriousness of deportment and gratitude of heart which the recognition of such reiterated and astonishing interpositions of Providence demand of us."1 It should not be counted strange to us that men who have become worshippers of God would also be called upon to be warriors for His cause. Nehemiah’s men worked on the building of the wall with one hand while holding a weapon in the other. Hearts that adore the truth must defend the truth, those who have come to appreciate the blessedness of our freedom in Christ are those He has chosen to protect the flock of God from destructive heresy. The life of a Saint is not acceptance into a quiet monastery of peaceful solitude, but conscription into the army of the redeemed. Our posture must be one of readiness, knowing that our enemy will not long allow us to build siegeworks without harassment. Hear Nehemiah’s words of encouragement, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” (Nehemiah 4:14) Observe how their worship for God fueled the industry of their warfare. Acknowledgment of the awesomeness of their God disarmed the decimating effects of fear from their hearts. Unwatchful warriors show their irreverence for the goodness of God by their indifference towards the encroachment of evil upon their territory. Lackadaisical soldiers have kept their sword not at hand but carefully concealed in a back room. Instead of building up the defenses they rest serenely unbothered by the potential dangers that surround them. Of all the arsenal provided for God’s people to withstand the onslaught of the enemy, none is as essential as their fervent worship of God offered in spirit and in truth. Insidiously the enemy seeks to lull us to complacency until we are attacked at a moment of weakness. Soldiers of Christ must always be ready for battle and never underestimate the enemies’ deceptions. Keep the two-edged sword of the word of God ready to cut down every form of compromise that would leave you vulnerable to sinful persuasions. Build the foundations of the doctrine of truth continually and prepare yourself to defend the truth by remaining engaged in authentic worship.
Washington, George. "General Orders, 2 October 1781." In The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799, edited by John C. Fitzpatrick, vol. 23. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1937-1944.