Why did God speak to Ethan, the Levite prepared by King David to minister praise and lead the services in the house of the Lord? So that he would know how to pray and do God's will, setting an example for those who needed to overcome their struggles and didn't know how to proceed. The Lord wants to see in His children the same disposition and attitude shown by the psalmist. God doesn't want losers in His army, but people who are determined to win!

In the Law of Moses, the Most High instructed the officers to prepare the people and not allow the fearful and weak to go to war, since, for various reasons, they would be humiliated before the enemy: Then the officers shall speak to the people, saying, “What man is there who has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it it (Deuteronomy 20:5). The unprepared would do better to stay away from the battle.

The officers continued to reduce the size of the army: “Also what man is there who has planted a vineyard and has not eaten of it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and someone another man eat of it (v. 6). For the Lord to give victory, the number of combatants doesn't matter, because He is the one who does the work. King Sennacherib's mighty army was destroyed by an angel and not by thousands of soldiers (2 Kings 19:35). God is Lord of everything!

Whoever follows the rules of the Most High in any business will never be defeated, because what He says will happen. The heavenly Father works regardless of what man says or tries to do. After all, the Lord is God: And what man is there who is betrothed to a woman and has not married her? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man marry her (v. 7). No bridegroom would fight with his soul in his hands for fear of dying!

Many battles are lost because of the fearful who, falling for the devil's lies, don't stand up for the country they represent, and so the enemy wins. In addition, violence spreads throughout the nation because of the cowardly, who do not fear God: The officials shall speak further to the people and  say, 'What man is there who is fearful and fainthearted? Let him return to his house, lest the heart of his brethren faint like his heart (v. 8).

After the four groups had left and been guided by the Lord, the officers would give orders to their subordinates, and one of them would be addressed to the great men of the corps: And so it shall be, when the officers have finished speaking to the people, that they shall make captains of the armies to lead the people (v. 9). The worst enemy is the one who shows no fear, which is why those who are considered true soldiers because of their bravery must stand in front of everyone.

The same needs to happen in ministry. The weak and fearful, who have not yet been set free by Christ, cause damage as if they were out of the fight. The devil knows those who act like this on the front line of the church or any work of the ministry. It would be good if the servants of the Most High feared only Him!

           In Christ, with love,

           R. R. Soares