Know battles to fight

By Rev Dr Kenneth Mtata 

Today's Readings:

Psalm 71:1-6; 2 Chronicles 35:20-27; Acts 19:1-10

Verse of the day:

"Archers shot King Josiah, and he told his officers, 'Take me away; I am badly wounded.'” (2 Chronicles 35:23).

Some times it's too late to retreat from battle when you are too badly damaged. 

 Josiah was warned that the war with the Egyptians had nothing to do with him. But he even disguised himself so that he could go to the war unnoticed. A sniper shot him, fatally wounding him. When he decided to leave the battle field, he had been so badly injured that by the time he got home, he died.

 

Of course he was greatly celebrated in his death because of the great work he did to reform the nation. But he died too young.

Many people invest into wrong and unnecessary battles.  They incur wounds from which they struggle to recover, if they recover at all.

Is it not time get rid of unnecessary battles? Know when to quit. 

When Paul had become successful in his mission among the Ephesians, "some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them" (Acts 19:9).

Sometimes to leave is not a sign of weakness.  It is to understand that not all battles have to be won in order to win the war.

Prayer

God I pray that you may help me to discern which battles I must fight and which ones to ignore. "From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you" 

(Psalm 71:6).