July 23

Count the Cost!

Suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? (Luke 14:31).

Scripture: Deuteronomy 20:5-8

Song: “O God, What Offering Shall I Give?”

I went to the gym one winter’s day convinced I’d finally begin getting in shape. My youthful strength was long gone, but I knew if I worked hard, I could still shed some fat and lose a few inches around the middle. There weren’t many people around me, but I still felt awkward. No matter; I’m ready to start building a new me.

The next morning, I woke up in pain. I had strained the tendons in both my elbows by exerting myself too hard on the biceps curls. It would be several days before the pain stopped. I did not go back to the gym.

I lost that battle before it even started. And it can happen in the spiritual realm as well. If we launch into a spiritual battle when we aren’t ready for the struggle, we court a serious defeat.

Jesus warned His disciples about entering into spiritual battles for which they were unprepared (Luke 14:28-33), and so we are reminded to ready ourselves for the spiritual struggles we face in life. We have an enemy who will fight hard. Following God is not for the fainthearted.

Almighty Father, I know You don’t call me to an easy battle. The enemy will not give up easily. Strengthen me today, Lord, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

July 23–29. John Meunier is a minister serving his church in Mexico, Indiana, while also lecturing on business at a nearby university.