Our spiritual lineage must be taken into account. It began with Abraham, the faithful patriarch called the friend of God (James 2:23), and continued with Isaac, a peaceful man who, even though his wells were repeatedly filled in by the envious shepherds of Gerar, did not quarrel. As a man of God, Isaac allowed the Lord to defend him from offenses and to reward him. Thus, he reaped a hundredfold from the seed he had sown (Genesis 26:12–33). Believe!

Next came Jacob, Isaac’s obedient son. Though his brother prevailed over him at birth, he did not lose heart in faith and eventually recovered his birthright. Still, he had to flee his home to escape Esau’s wrath. In his uncle’s house, Jacob fell in love with Rachel and worked seven years to marry her. Then his uncle and father-in-law deceived him, requiring seven more years of labor to have Rachel by his side, but those years seemed brief to him (Genesis 25:23–34; 29:15—32:55). Those who love know that the price to be paid does not matter!

Among the great Hebrew leaders, we find Moses. He could have been killed by the decree involving the midwives or cast into the Nile River, but he was spared and raised as an Egyptian prince. Later, aware of his true identity, he chose to suffer alongside his brothers rather than be treated as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter (Hebrews 11:23–26). By God’s command, he led Israel out of Egypt. The servants of the Lord always act according to divine wisdom.

Joshua led the Israelites in the conquest and settlement of Canaan. Near the end of his life, the Lord told him that much land still remained to be conquered, which must have saddened him (Joshua 13:1). After Joshua’s death, the elders who had served alongside him and succeeded him continued to lead the people, teaching the new generation (Judges 2:7).

After the judges came the kings of Israel. The first, Saul, allowed himself to be consumed by human glory and vanity, setting a poor example for his subjects and for those who followed him on the throne. The second, David, was a shepherd, a mighty warrior victorious in battle, and a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). In addition, the prophets were of great importance not only to their nation, but also to the Church of Christ to this day.

What did it profit King Pekah, son of Remaliah, to march from Samaria with the king of Syria to fight against Judah, in defiance of God’s decision? (2 Kings 15:27–29). Against God’s people, as Balaam acknowledged, no enchantment or divination can prevail (Numbers 23:23). Now, if God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31b). In the end, victory belongs to those who love the Lord. Let us not fear danger, but entrust ourselves to the Father!

No matter where the battle is fought, we will be victorious, for the Lord of Hosts will fight with us and for us. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this age, and spiritual hosts of wickedness (Ephesians 6:12).

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares