March 21, 2002
Disciplined Soldiers
At the sight of them, nations are in anguish; every face turns pale. They charge like warriors; they scale walls like soldiers. They all march in a line, not swerving from their course. They do not jostle each other; each marches straight ahead. They plunge through defenses without breaking ranks. They rush upon the city; they run along the wall. They climb into houses; like thieves they enter through the windows. Joel 2:6-9 (NIV)
At their presence the peoples are in anguish; all faces are waxed pale. They run like mighty men; they climb the wall like men of war; and they march every one on his ways, and they break not their ranks. Neither doth one thrust another; they march every one in his path; and they burst through the weapons, and break not off their course. They leap upon the city; they run upon the wall; they climb up into the houses; they enter in at the windows like a thief. Joel 2:6-9(ASV)
But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken through. Matthew 24:43 (ASV)
Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. Luke 12:33 (NIV)
You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Luke 12:40 (NIV)
For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
1 Thessalonians 5:2 (NIV)
I spent some time looking at Joel 2 and praying over it. It seems that nearly everyone I have heard ever teach from this passage, says that this is NOT referring to the troops of the Lord. However, I differ with them. I have given you the references for why I differ. I do believe this portion of Joel 2 is referring to the troops of the Lord. See, we know that he shall come as a thief in the night. He wants for his children to be ready. We have been warned not to store up treasures here on earth, for they shall all pass away. I have said it before and I shall say it again; What you see with your physical eyes is not real!! It was made of things that were not seen and the things seen shall all pass away. If your treasures are stored on this earth, the day of the Lord will destroy all that you have stored. However, the treasures stored in heaven shall not pass away. Those treasures, which you cannot see with your physical eyes, are more real than what you see with your eyes. Now, if we are to be ready for the coming of the day of the Lord, what should we be doing now?
We should be in training, as troops for war! When trials come your way, rejoice, for it is those trials that train you for the battles yet to come. How should the troops of the Lord be? They should be very disciplined. They march forth in a straight line, not veering from their course. In other words, they don’t get sidetracked! Now, I don’t know about you, but I get easily sidetracked. I see another major area that the army of the Lord is not the fighting force that the Lord desires. This army of the final battle, does not shoot their own wounded. However, “Christians” are notorious for shooting the wounded. If you don’t believe it, stumble in our fine buildings that we call churches. See what is done to you. Are you helped up, treated for the wounds and enabled to walk again or are you kicked, shot and put out? I have been one of those wounded, while still a very young believer. I am here to tell you, I was kicked, beaten, and finally, cast aside. Guard with care how you treat those who stumble. They are warriors in training, just as you are. They may well be the one that has to defend your back in this battle that is yet to come.
This army is not an army on the defensive. Yet, today, it seems that our churches spend much more time on the defense than on the offense. This warring force goes forth and takes the fortified cities. The strongholds fall before it. They do not fear, they march forth.
The Israelites, at least for a time, was a fighting force much like this. When they went to enter the promised land of Caanan, they took the fortified cities. However, they did not follow the word of the Lord completely. In fact, when they were told to totally destroy all, they took spoils, they compromised, and in the end, it cost them the promised land. This army from Joel, does not compromise. Bride, it is time to cease compromising the word of God! It is time to take that bold stand that makes us not popular with the world. In fact, if the world loves you, you are not doing what the word of God says to do. We know this because we are told the world is the enemy of God and if they are your friend, how can they be an enemy of God if you are of God? Bride, get ready! Stand firm on the word of the Lord. Do not continue to be friends with the world. Be prepared for the day of the Lord is coming. Be on guard, for you do not want to be taken by surprise. Be wary that you do not store your treasures here on earth, and therefore endure this force that shall overcome the world with the judgment of the Lord!
Father, in Jesus name, let us learn to see with the eyes of the spirit. Help us to understand that believers should not be so much like the world that you cannot tell the difference. Lord, let us take that firm stand upon your word, without compromise. Father, in Jesus name, teach us to be that fighting force that you have called. Lord, you have gathered us together, as troops in training. Lord, keep training us in your ways. Father, in Jesus name, let me not be guilty of storing treasures on earth, rather let me store my treasures where they shall not be destroyed. Father, let me learn that what I see with my eyes is not real, but what is not seen is more real than what is seen. Father, in Jesus name, let us sleep no longer. Rouse your army for the battle is at hand, in Jesus name, amen!
All rights reserved: Amy Seelbach
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