Diligence and Deliverance
“The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance is of the LORD.” (Proverbs 21:31)
July 5
Following the Boston Tea party the British responded decisively by organizing the attacks on Lexington and Concord.1 Two men of the Son’s of Liberty Paul Revere and William Dawes prepared the alert of the attack and were sent with several others to warn the minute men to prepare for the battle. Their quick warning is credited with saving the American Patriots and was critical in the American victory in this first battle.2 Believers who have received salvation through Christ are instructed by the Spirit to make use of all the means of His grace. We trust in His providential care, yet this does not negate the requirement for preparations. The grace of God does not produce slothfulness in us, instead it infuses us with industrious power. No contradiction exists between claiming the necessity of sovereign grace and God’s commands upon us for diligence. Fires of such unction have been awakened and fueled by the Spirit of grace. Knowing that unless the Lord builds the house that their labors are in vain, the servants of the Lord know they still must put their hands to the building for the work to be accomplished. Audacious boldness abides with those who are compelled by Christ love to pursue great exploits for God knowing that deliverance comes from His hand not by ours. The strength of our horse is meager, but His power is insurmountable. “Salvation is of the Lord”, (Jonah 2:4) is not a claim of Theological preference but an inescapable reality. We do not have the power to deliver ourselves from the power of sin or the oppression of the world’s demonic influences. Since we have embraced the reality of our dependence on His grace, we have become carefully observant of every means grace He provides us. In the utilization of such means we ascribe all glory to Him who works all these things together for our good. Make every possible preparation for the day of battle, employ every faculty of intelligence, engage in all forms of planning and reconnaissance. Yet remember when the victory is provided for you that your deliverance has come from the Lord’s hand not by yours. The battle is not won by our cleverness or strength, but by the providential goodness of God in the lives of those He has elected to inherit salvation. When you see the power of His deliverance let your heart be humble in gladness rejoicing in God’s mercy, not arrogantly boasting in your own capabilities. Our preparations will never be sufficient, yet His grace is still enough. Solomon observed, “The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong” (Ecclesiastes 9:11). We must take every opportunity to occupy the means of His grace while ultimately entrusting our lives into the hands of our merciful deliverer.
Battles of Lexington and Concord - First battle of the American Revolution
Paul Revere's Midnight Ride