Don't Be the Lone Ranger

# 145 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 11:3 Then the elders of Jabesh said to him, "Hold off for seven days, that we may send messengers to all the territory of Israel. And then, if there is no one to save us, we will come out to you." (1 Sam 11:3) Jabesh, the snake, has amassed his armies against the people of Gilead. The people of Gilead were greatly afraid and offered to make a covenant with him. This in spite of what God had told the Israelites in Ex 23:31, "And I will set your bounds from the Red Sea to the sea, Philistia, and from the desert to the River. For I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand, and you shall drive them out before you. 32 "You shall make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. 33 "They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you." Jabesh, told the people that his conditions for the covenant would be to put out their right eyes. This is the choice the people of Gilead faced. In their eyes it was either be massacred by the superior forces of Jabesh, or surrender to him and have their eyes plucked out. They forgot that God not only forbade them to make covenants but He also promised to deliver them from such enemies. God never asks us to do something that He will not provide the means to do it! “Resist the devil and he will flee from you!” To their credit, the people of Gilead asked for time to plea to their brethren for help. This is a crucial spiritual truth for you and I to learn. Stop trying to fight your spiritual battles and temptations alone! God has given you brothers and sisters in Christ to help you overcome. Don't just “go to church,” be the church! Be a part of a living Spirit filled congregation. Get involved in small group Bible Studies. Be in touch with men and women of integrity who will go to war for you on their knees when temptation and spiritual battles come your way. Admit your weaknesses, rely on the brethren for help.”Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. (James 5:16)