BATTLE CRY
by
Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (June 8, 2015)
“And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with the keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle.” (I Samuel 17:20, King James Version [David shouted for the battle]).
Greetings In The Holy Name Of Jesus,
My sisters and brothers the battle cry was heard by all! According to I Samuel (17:20), David shouted for the battle---the cry of David let those still in confusion over the status quo know the battle against the Philistines, in particular the Philistine of Gath, Goliath was ON. The battle cry is as important as the battle itself for many folks because it serves as a forerunner of those running their course in battle---just like the soldier blowing the bugle on the battlefield connected all those fighting near and far to let them know the status of the battle. Many times the soldiers for Christ Jesus march on so deep in the actions and thoughts of battle that it takes a sound---a noise---a shout to cry out to the marchers on to awaken them to the reality of where they are in the battle. Many times the battle cry motivated and revitalized tired bones torn apart in severe pain from the drudgery of life to accept the spirit of battle in order to go forth to fight the good fight.
My fellows, I remember my father's battle cry when he preached---how his head rared back [full of enthusiasm and eagerness] and cried out for he knew the battle was the LORD's battle every time he delivered the Word of God to fight the battles of life dealing with the issues of those he preached to in the pews and those at home who in spirit heard the battle cry as he fought for their delivery from their afflictions. In those years my father was a mature man---well down the road running his course but he was fit for battle and cried out when he preached, ready for battle. I don't know about you but when it comes time to fight in the spirit realm so that you receive your flesh deliverance I want someone fit for battle---someone who knows how to battle---who knows the importance of consulting with God [talking to God and petitioning Christ Jesus with prayers], not going to battle alone without God---who knows to cry out---the battle cry. I feel better knowing I have a Godly man filled with the spirit of God fighting on my behalf when I am too weak in my conscious---too weak in my might to fight for myself.
How many of you are fighting right now against a Philistine---against their champion, Goliath (verse 17:23)? When your enemies' champion faces you and your people look to you as the favored one of God you need someone---even your intercessor in prayer just as strongly-filled with the power in grace and might of the Almighty God, to deliver unto you the strongest level of faith needed to give you the confidence needed to speak out in the authority of God, to command your enemy in the authority of God, to deliver the winning blow that wins the battle with the authority of God, so that all who witness know God answered your prayers and granted you favor to have VICTORY.
My fellows, the family of God went through many battles on the battlefield of life. Do you remember in the time of Jotham, the king of Judah and Jeroboam, the king of Israel when they went up against the Hagarites with Jetur, Nephish and Nodab, feeling they were strong with 44,760 [four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore] valiant men, they trusted God and cried out to Him in battle? God was entreated of Judah and Israel for trusting him and crying out to him, so he delivered them from the Hagarites and gave Judah and Israel what the Hagarites had. Judah and Israel took away their cattle; 50,000 of their camels; 250,000 of their sheep, 2,000 of their asses and 100,000 of their men. What can we take away from this battle---that it is good to cry out to God and to trust God in battle always? Yes, indeed---no matter if you have a David fighting the good fight or no matter if you go to battle with all the people you know in the one body of Christ Jesus, it is always good to cry out and trust God. It takes a sound mind to know beforehand and in reflection that the war was of God.
2
(I Chronicles 5:17-22, KJV [“the war was of God”]).
Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
