Take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one
Numbers 1:2)
Fun fact! Did you know that the book of Numbers got its name from the words of the first few verses of the book? Here’s what really happened: God commanded Moses to number (take a census) of the men of Israel who were eligible to serve in the army. However, this act was not merely a counting for counting sake, God actually wanted his people to prepare for the battles that lay ahead.
God needed men who were physically fit and ready to fight against external enemies threatening the nation. However, underlying this call to arms is a deeper truth—God requires men who have won the internal battle against their own weaknesses and shortcomings.
Just as the Israelites were called to be prepared for physical warfare, as believers today we are also called to be prepared for spiritual battle. We live in a world where darkness and evil forces seek to undermine God’s purposes and lead His people astray. God is looking for men and women who are spiritually fit, who have disciplined their minds, hearts, and bodies to resist temptation and stand firm in the face of adversity.
The battle against darkness begins within. It requires us to confront and overcome our own lusts, appetites, and weaknesses. We cannot effectively serve in God’s army if we are enslaved to sin or driven by selfish desires. Victory in the spiritual realm starts with surrendering to God’s transformative power and allowing Him to work in us, shaping us into vessels fit for His service.
The apostle Paul speaks to this internal battle in Romans 7:22-23, acknowledging the struggle between the desires of the flesh and the desires of the Spirit. He writes, “For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.”
As believers, we must daily take up the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18), cultivating spiritual disciplines such as prayer, scripture study, and fellowship with other believers. Through these practices, we strengthen our spiritual muscles, fortify our defences, and stand ready to face the enemy’s attacks.
It’s time to prepare ourselves for the battles ahead—both external and internal. May we be men and women who are able and willing to serve in God’s army, having first won the internal battle against sin and darkness through the power of God’s Spirit. In doing so, we become effective instruments in God’s hands, advancing His kingdom and bringing light to a dark world. Are you ready for battle?
