Strengthen your position and see what must be done, because next spring the king of Aram will attack you again (1 Kings 20:22 NIV).
This prophetic message is important because it was given immediately after a big victory in war. See that it is not a message of congratulation on that victory. Instead it is a message to be on guard. It is therefore worthy of our attention.
In Christian life we often encounter temptations. If we rely on God we win. Like how the king of Israel had won the war here. Then we make the biggest mistake. We take the victory for granted. We are not on our guard any more. We think that the enemy will give up because of the victory we won. This is the sure beginning of our defeat.
The prophetic message becomes important because of this attitude that we have. Remember that there is no point in life when temptations may not come.
Jesus had to face temptations. That means that temptations come to the best of men. And as we read the account of the temptations Jesus had to face it is written: “When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13 NIV).
So the devil never gives up. So we have to be on our guard always.
But, the prophetic message says further: “Strengthen your position!” See, battles against sin leave us exhausted and depleted of our resources. We need to replenish our energy and our resources.
One practical way of strengthening ourselves is to hide God’s word in our heart (Psalm 119:11). Another way is to seek God in prayer. These are ways in which to strengthen our position.
Finally, the prophetic message says: “See what must be done.” It means that a victory does not mean that it is time to relax yet.
There are things to be done. Only then can we win the next battle. Only then can we maintain the victory won last time. Yes, we need to prepare for the battle ahead because the enemy will attack again! That is why this prophetic message has been given in advance!
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More Manna:
Thus the Work on the House of God in Jerusalem Came to a Standstill