Scripture Reading: Proverbs 24: 10

“If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.” (Proverbs 24: 10)

“If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?” (Jeremiah 12:5)

A soldier is trained for the day of adversity — and so are you. Your training and testings are all in preparation for the big day when the enemy attacks you. If you have been well nigh overcome in the fray, it is an indication that somewhere your training has been faulty. You have not prepared yourself for warfare. You have been a lazy soldier. Somewhere you have not been firm enough with yourself. You have not been at the daily drill practice, and you have skipped some of your running exercises.

If you cannot run with the infantry, how will you run with a full pack, when you are facing the deadly enemy? If you cannot handle the enemy when he comes against you on foot, how will you cope with him when he is mounted? If you cannot cope with the situations of life, and swim against the current when the river is at its lowest ebb, how will you swim the river when it floods its banks and is filled with strong and treacherous currents?

Soldiers went to war in the spring when the rivers overflowed the banks and the waters flowed swiftly because of the melting snows of Mount Hermon.

If your arms have not enough strength to swim the swift current of the swelling Jordan of your life, it could be because you have failed in practicing your morning “push-ups” — out of bed and into My presence.

Prepare now for the day of battle, for you can be sure it is coming!

Gems of Wisdom by Gwen Shaw
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