What If…Would You Be Prepared?

I drove about the city running errands, my mind couldn't let go of the recent world terror events. The question: What  if someone pointed a weapon at me and said, "Deny Jesus and give allegiance to '_____.’?” How would I react? What would I do?

"Then David left his baggage

in the care of the baggage keeper,

and ran to the battle line…"

 1 Samuel 17:22 nasb

Recently, I’d heard Dr. Ben Carson say in regards to the Oregon college shooting, that he would do much like young David did… he’d “run to the battle line.” Would I? Would that be the best option for me in such a situation?

[King] Saul clothed David with his garments and put a bronze helmet on his head and he clothed him with armor.  David girded his sword over his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. So David said to Saul,  I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” And David took them off. 

1 Samuel 17:38-39 nasb

King Saul had been trained in the army wearing the bronze helmet and suit of armor. He’d used the sword in battle. He was comfortable going to war dressed and armed in this way. It was familiar. It was trustworthy.

But David, the shepherd boy at the time, had different warfare experiences with weapons he was comfortable and familiar… and had proven trustworthy for him.

David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine…  He took his stick in his hand and chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the shepherd’s bag which he had, even in his pouch, and his sling was in his hand; and he approached the Philistine.” 1 Samuel 17:37, 40 nasb

Like young David, I believe I would take up the best weapon I possess... the one I have tested and used before. I would wear my shield of Faith, my helmet of Salvation, and take out God's Word, the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:16-17)

As I continued to drive about that day, I instinctively began to recite scriptures from my heart and sing songs invoking the name above all names, Jesus Christ. Verses learned and memorized and meditated upon all the years of my life. And then a…

Flashback to childhood...

About once-a-month, with full attention to my teacher, I heeded the instructions for us to go quietly, single-file, as quickly and safely out of the schoolhouse and into our designated place on the playground. I specifically remember my 6^th grade teacher telling us about a school that had had a fire and the students and friends she lost to it. She took the monthly drills seriously and expected us to do the same. Why? To prepare us for the real thing.

Drills - Rehearsals - Practice for the real thing.

We do it for fires, for sports, for musicals, and in the armed forces. Soldiers train. But do we do it for spiritual warfare? Do we do it for an implausible, inconvincible life or death situation?

David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. 1 Samuel 17:45 nasb

What if…?

What would be your reaction to a life or death situation? How would you face the enemy taunting you to deny Jesus Christ as your Lord? Would you be armed? If so, with what?

My personal suggestions to prepare:

Physical weaponry

• Purchase what fits you: firearms, mace, or self-defense, martial arts, even special apparel
• Get trained by reputable professionals
• Practice regularly; not just once in a blue moon
• Prepare mentally—would you, could you actually kill or cause bodily harm to another human being? When? How? Why? (practice this as regularly, too)

Spiritual weaponry 

The name of the Lord of hosts: Jehovah-sabaoth;

deliverer, defender, stronghold, all-powerful, refuge, strength, fortress;

“Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.  Psalm 46:10-11 nasb

 
The name of the Lord is a strong fortress;the godly run to Him and are safe. Proverbs 18:10 nlt

 
Practice calling out to the Lord of Hosts 

in the name of Jesus

Read, study, meditate, memorize The Bible 

Read and meditate upon it daily. 

Get into a Bible study with others (or at least, alone)

“Whoever despises the word and counsel [of God] brings destruction upon himself, But he who [reverently] fears and respects the commandment [of God] will be rewarded.” Proverbs 13:13 amp

Memorize it!

 - write it, repeat it, apply it; (some studies come with audio memory verses, so you might be able to listen to it)

- break it into small phrases; try fill-in-the-blank

- learn one verse a week, reviewing all daily

- repeat them while you sit at a traffic light, in a waiting room, over your lunch breaks, while you walk (Deuteronomy 6:7-9;  11:18-20)

Memorization isn’t about passing a test or winning a contest, it’s about getting into your head and heart. Remember, this is your arsenal, the bullets for your gun, the arrows for your bow, the stones for your slingshot 

The word of God is the sword of the Spirit Ephesians 6:17

God’s word is alive and working and is sharper than a double-edged sword. Hebrews 4:12 ncv

“Does not my word burn like fire?” says the Lord. “Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?” Jeremiah 23:29 nlt

“it is written” Jesus response to Satan, Matthew 4:4, 7, 10

“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night." Psalm 1:1-2

Plant roots; go deep; create a firm foundation;

“He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.” Psalm 1:3

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord
And whose trust is the Lord.

“For he will be like a tree planted by the water,
That extends its roots by a stream
And will not fear when the heat comes;
But its leaves will be green,
And it will not be anxious in a year of drought
Nor cease to yield fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8

Practice - Rehearse - Prepare - Drill

I also recommend a training and accountability partner because “As iron sharpens iron, so people can improve each other.” Proverbs 27:17 ncv

Remember… the enemy - the one taunting or threatening you - has trained well for this occasion… has run through the drills… is prepared

I would love to hear your comments on how you would prepare for such an unexpected event