Daily devotional to strengthen your walk with God
It is a well-known practice in ancient times for kings and strongmen to consult their gods for guidance and power before going to war in order to defeat their enemies. This was a crucial step in the planning and winning of wars. The Bible text above tells us that the king of Moab, Balak, sent for a renowned diviner or prophet to come and curse the people of Israel. His intention was to invoke supernatural forces and powers to aid him in his intended war with Israel, but God frustrated his wicked plans. I declare today that our God shall frustrate every enemy, invoking curses and enchantments on you or planning to attack and defeat you in any war. Amen.
Balaam, the false prophet, instructed the king to raise seven altars and prepare fourteen animals that would be offered on each altar. This ritual and sacrifice was done three times because they were bent on securing a powerful spiritual curse that would work against Israel. It is unimaginable, the extent that the wicked can go in their effort to harm or destroy God's children or servants. They raised twenty-one altars and sacrificed forty-two animals in one day to secure a curse. Wars are commenced and determined at altars. Wars are fought and won in the spiritual before they manifest in the physical.
The war between Esau and Jacob was won at the altar of prayer. The war ended in favour of Jacob in the night before their physical meeting. Jacob fought and won his war spiritually. It would have been disastrous to face Esau without praying through for God's intervention. Also, King David always consulted God for guidance and strategies before any battle. He never lost any battle. After David, the kings of Israel would consult their priests or prophets before embarking on battles. That was the secret of their success.
Beloved, an altar is also a place of warfare. The night the Israelites raised their altars, their war and bondage in Egypt ended. God judged Egypt the same night, and Pharaoh's power was broken. Do you have your own altar where you meet with God? Does God's Fire fall on your altar? Do you commit your plans and battles to God for guidance and strategies before engaging in warfare? The battles of life are between altars. If you are not a covenant child of God, and the fire of sacrifice and obedience is not burning in your life, the altar of your enemies would consume you. Surrender your life today, raise your altar before God, and offer living sacrifices to God, and He shall fight your wars and defeat your enemies. Hallelujah!
I shall repent and raise my altar before God today.
Oh God, help me to plan and win my wars before Your altar.
As you obey, God shall intervene in your wars.