SHARPENING YOUR WEAPONS FOR WAR
Every battle is easier to face when you have prepared for it before it arrives. A soldier does not wait until the enemy is approaching before checking his weapons. He prepares in advance because, when the battle begins, there may be no time to fix what should have been ready. The same is true in our walk with God. Ecclesiastes 10:10 says, “If the axe is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.” Sometimes the problem is not that we lack strength; our spiritual tools simply need sharpening.
We cannot expect yesterday's prayer life to carry us through today's battles. Our faith needs attention. Our understanding of Scripture needs to grow. Our prayer life needs to remain alive. Worship, fasting, obedience, righteousness, and time in God's presence are not religious routines we perform when things go wrong; they are part of how we prepare ourselves before the pressure comes. There will be moments when fear speaks loudly, when temptation feels convincing, or when disappointment makes you question everything. In those moments, what you have built privately will matter. A strong public faith is usually developed through quiet, consistent preparation.
Think about David. Before he ever stood before Goliath, he had already spent time in the wilderness protecting his father's sheep. He had faced a lion and a bear and learned to trust God in places where nobody was applauding him (1 Samuel 17:34–37). When Goliath appeared, David was not discovering faith for the first time; he was drawing on a faith that had already been tested. Jesus also repeatedly withdrew to lonely places to pray (Luke 5:16; Mark 1:35). His public ministry flowed from a private life of communion with the Father. The secret place may look quiet and ordinary, but it is where spiritual strength is developed.
That is why you should not wait for a crisis before you start praying seriously. Don't wait until you are discouraged before opening your Bible. Don't wait until temptation becomes overwhelming before strengthening your relationship with God. Sharpen your weapons while the battle is still quiet. Spend time with God when things are going well, so that when things become difficult, you know where to turn. 2 Corinthians 10:4 reminds us that “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.” God has given you what you need, but you must learn to use it.
There will be battles you did not expect and moments that will test what you believe. You may not be able to choose when the battle comes, but you can choose how prepared you will be when it does. Keep your spiritual life sharp. Keep your heart sensitive to God. Keep your faith active and your relationship with Him genuine. Prepare in the secret place, so that you can stand with confidence in the public battle. The strength you build when nobody sees you may be the very strength that carries you when everybody is watching.
REV. ISHMAEL ASARE BAKAE
Every battle is easier to face when you have prepared for it before it arrives. A soldier does not wait until the enemy is approaching before checking his weapons. He prepares in advance because, when the battle begins, there may be no time to fix what should have been ready. The same is true in our walk with God. Ecclesiastes 10:10 says, “If the axe is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.” Sometimes the problem is not that we lack strength; our spiritual tools simply need sharpening.
We cannot expect yesterday's prayer life to carry us through today's battles. Our faith needs attention. Our understanding of Scripture needs to grow. Our prayer life needs to remain alive. Worship, fasting, obedience, righteousness, and time in God's presence are not religious routines we perform when things go wrong; they are part of how we prepare ourselves before the pressure comes. There will be moments when fear speaks loudly, when temptation feels convincing, or when disappointment makes you question everything. In those moments, what you have built privately will matter. A strong public faith is usually developed through quiet, consistent preparation.
Think about David. Before he ever stood before Goliath, he had already spent time in the wilderness protecting his father's sheep. He had faced a lion and a bear and learned to trust God in places where nobody was applauding him (1 Samuel 17:34–37). When Goliath appeared, David was not discovering faith for the first time; he was drawing on a faith that had already been tested. Jesus also repeatedly withdrew to lonely places to pray (Luke 5:16; Mark 1:35). His public ministry flowed from a private life of communion with the Father. The secret place may look quiet and ordinary, but it is where spiritual strength is developed.
That is why you should not wait for a crisis before you start praying seriously. Don't wait until you are discouraged before opening your Bible. Don't wait until temptation becomes overwhelming before strengthening your relationship with God. Sharpen your weapons while the battle is still quiet. Spend time with God when things are going well, so that when things become difficult, you know where to turn. 2 Corinthians 10:4 reminds us that “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.” God has given you what you need, but you must learn to use it.
There will be battles you did not expect and moments that will test what you believe. You may not be able to choose when the battle comes, but you can choose how prepared you will be when it does. Keep your spiritual life sharp. Keep your heart sensitive to God. Keep your faith active and your relationship with Him genuine. Prepare in the secret place, so that you can stand with confidence in the public battle. The strength you build when nobody sees you may be the very strength that carries you when everybody is watching.
REV. ISHMAEL ASARE BAKAE
SHARPENING YOUR WEAPONS FOR WAR
Every battle is easier to face when you have prepared for it before it arrives. A soldier does not wait until the enemy is approaching before checking his weapons. He prepares in advance because, when the battle begins, there may be no time to fix what should have been ready. The same is true in our walk with God. Ecclesiastes 10:10 says, “If the axe is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.” Sometimes the problem is not that we lack strength; our spiritual tools simply need sharpening.
We cannot expect yesterday's prayer life to carry us through today's battles. Our faith needs attention. Our understanding of Scripture needs to grow. Our prayer life needs to remain alive. Worship, fasting, obedience, righteousness, and time in God's presence are not religious routines we perform when things go wrong; they are part of how we prepare ourselves before the pressure comes. There will be moments when fear speaks loudly, when temptation feels convincing, or when disappointment makes you question everything. In those moments, what you have built privately will matter. A strong public faith is usually developed through quiet, consistent preparation.
Think about David. Before he ever stood before Goliath, he had already spent time in the wilderness protecting his father's sheep. He had faced a lion and a bear and learned to trust God in places where nobody was applauding him (1 Samuel 17:34–37). When Goliath appeared, David was not discovering faith for the first time; he was drawing on a faith that had already been tested. Jesus also repeatedly withdrew to lonely places to pray (Luke 5:16; Mark 1:35). His public ministry flowed from a private life of communion with the Father. The secret place may look quiet and ordinary, but it is where spiritual strength is developed.
That is why you should not wait for a crisis before you start praying seriously. Don't wait until you are discouraged before opening your Bible. Don't wait until temptation becomes overwhelming before strengthening your relationship with God. Sharpen your weapons while the battle is still quiet. Spend time with God when things are going well, so that when things become difficult, you know where to turn. 2 Corinthians 10:4 reminds us that “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.” God has given you what you need, but you must learn to use it.
There will be battles you did not expect and moments that will test what you believe. You may not be able to choose when the battle comes, but you can choose how prepared you will be when it does. Keep your spiritual life sharp. Keep your heart sensitive to God. Keep your faith active and your relationship with Him genuine. Prepare in the secret place, so that you can stand with confidence in the public battle. The strength you build when nobody sees you may be the very strength that carries you when everybody is watching.
REV. ISHMAEL ASARE BAKAE
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