Day 3 – Philistines

“These are the nations: the Philistines (those living under the five Philistine rulers), all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and Hivites living in the mountains of Lebanon from Mount Baal-hermon to Lebo-hamath.” Judges 3:3 NLT

First mentioned in the list of enemies are the Philistines. The Hebrew root for this word means “Invader”. When we read through the history of Israel while occupying the promised land, the biggest invasions were as a result of their disobedience to God.  Like a prowling lion, the enemy lurks about our lives looking for the tiniest opportunity to invade – the slightest sign of disobedience.

The invaders’ strategy is not a sudden full-blown attack, it is gradual. The Israelites did not wake up one morning and decided to disobey God. They gradually allowed sin to invade the nation through idol worship – doing as the locals do. So gradually, in fact, they thought it was right and did not see it as sin anymore. They started to justify their sin and thought it right to worship God and the idols of the land. The Philistines (sin invasion) are standing at the borders of your life patiently waiting for a gradual slip in your obedience.

“But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him” 1 John 2:5 NLT

Our obedience to God and His Word is our strategy against the invaders. Listening and obeying what God tells us in every situation before taking action on our own. Ask the Holy Spirit for discernment between what is True and what is invading.

Prayer: Father, thank You for teaching us the strategy of the Philistines – the invaders – and teaching us the counter-strategy of obedience. Holy Spirit, guide us with discernment to know the truth and gradual invasion of sin. Warn us when we are starting to justify our sin and to turn to You in full obedience through Jesus Christ. Amen.

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