When a man fights against himself, in his lusts, passions, and unauthorised aspirations, he fights a war approved of God, and if he fights that war in the name of God he shall be none other than a victor at the close. When a man fights for the poor, the oppressed, the helpless, he is engaged in a battle over which God holds the banner, andthe holding of that banner is the guarantee of triumph. (J. Parker, D. D.)
The war is of God
In speaking on temperance principles and trying to help and encourage temperance workers, this story of Bible history will well illustrate ourtheme. Consider:
I. The warriors.
1. They were courageous men--“valiant men,” sons of valour as the original has it.
2. They were skilful.
3. They were united.
II. The weapons which these warriors used.
1. The buckler. This was a weapon of defence, a small hand shield that was fastened to the wrist or to the hand itself, with which the warriors parried the blows of their enemies. “Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.”
2. The sword. If temperance workers would take the Bible as their sword, they would get on better than with the wooden swords which so many are inclined to use.
3. Bows and arrows. The spiritual parallel is the “arrow of conviction.”
III. Their warfare. It was distinguished--
1. By faith.
(1) Personal. They trusted in God; we must also have a personal faith in Christ as our Saviour.
(2) Also in the power of the gospel to change the hearts and lives of men.
