I talked with a former British elite forces soldier who had faced many battles and emerged unscathed. He said, “I don’t believe in God.” I challenged him by saying these familiar words: “There are no atheists on the battlefield.”
He simply frowned and shrugged his shoulders. I then asked him what he had most wished for in the heat of battle—when he thought he was going to die. With tears in his eyes, he replied, “I asked Almighty God to get me through it alive!”
David knew a lot about being alone and in danger (2 Samuel 22:4-7). He learned through years of affliction and persecution that he could rely only on one source of strength: God (2 Samuel 22:2). When all was stripped away, he knew there was only One, and that He was enough! Like us, the people of Israel often turned to other things rather than the one true God. “In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes” (Judges 17:6). They trusted in themselves and their own thinking rather than seeking God’s instruction.
Ezekiel 16:1-34 poignantly describes a wife (Jerusalem) deliberately deserting her loving husband (God) and following after her own sinful desires. And in Revelation, Jesus rebuked the church at Ephesus, declaring that—in spite of considerable achievements—they had removed the Lord from His rightful place: “I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!” (Revelation 2:4). Throughout history, people have used God as a last resort instead of their first love, “rock,” and “savior” (2 Samuel 22:3).
May it not require the heat of the battle to draw us to God. He’s worthy of our full surrender and complete devotion today!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 17:1-15
More:
Read 2 Timothy 2:13 and consider God’s patience and loving faithfulness even when our faith grows fickle.
Next:
What do you rely on to help you make it through difficult times? Career, family, accolades? Confess these to God and determine to put Him first in all things.
ghchong on November 3, 2014 at 2:57 am
Never miss the low hanging fruit: http://biblia.com/verseoftheday/image/2Ti2.12-13
Gary Shultz on November 3, 2014 at 5:50 am
How true are your statements. When backed into a corner and strength and pride are reduced to zero, we all at some time stand powerless wanting help, wanting someone, something bigger than ourselves. We don’t have to wait to find Him there, we can be present with Him at all times, if we will but submit to His love…..Powerful stuff, Thanks
russell fralick on November 3, 2014 at 1:15 pm
Submission really is the key Gary, you are right. It’s a pity my pride still so often gets in the way of that! I am, however, getting better at turning to Him first rather than when my back is against the wall. We are all a work in progress!
Mike Wittmer on November 3, 2014 at 11:23 am
Thank you for this, Russell. May I live for God even when I don’t feel I need Him, because that is when I need him most.
russell fralick on November 3, 2014 at 1:18 pm
God reminds us all in Deuteronomy 8, that we should not forget Him when life is easy. He knew how frail His people Israel were and how they would stray once life became easy in their promised land. We all need to understand that we are not designed to be independent; quite the reverse, He wants us totally dependent on Him, no matter what our circumstances. That is a constant challenge for me.
Roxanne Robbins on November 3, 2014 at 9:27 pm
Really challenged, after reading this post, to consider what causes faith in Christ to wane, and to dig deeper in the Word and prayer to ensure my love for Him grows.
russell fralick on November 4, 2014 at 9:01 am
I find this a daily challenge Roxanne. And unfortunately, my faith starts to wane the moment my eyes are taken off Him. I need to cling to Him daily, through the word and prayer, otherwise I know I will stumble. That’s how frail I am still!
Ruth O'reilly-smith on November 5, 2014 at 4:59 am
Russell, the thing that stood out for me in your illustration was the question you asked the soldier. It was your question that focused his mind on what really mattered. In the New Testament, we see many examples of changed lives as Jesus asked pertinent questions of people who desperately needed His saving grace. You’ve reminded me to ask great questions of people who are searching for the truth – Thanks!
russell fralick on November 5, 2014 at 12:51 pm
Ruth, the first time I asked that kind of question it was to a former paratrooper. He was as broad as he was tall and had seen some SERIOUS action. I honestly feared for my safety had he taken it the wrong way! But as always, our Lord had prepared the way and it started a wonderful friendship that exists and is growing to this day. I find that often our words and questions are like dry toast that would normally stick in the throat of the eater, but with the buttering of the Holy Spirit, even the most difficult questions suddenly become palatable and easy to accept. Our job is to trust Him and lose our fear of what men may think.