II Kings 19:13 “Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, or the king of the city of Sepharvaim, the king of Hena, or the king of Ivvah?”
Some of the people from these vanquished cities had been settled in Samaria. It was common these days that when a city or the country was captured the population would be made to travel to another country far away and then settle there.
There was evidence all around of the prowess of the Assyrian armies as city after city, nation after nation fell to their military might. The kings themselves were no more – most likely publicly and brutally humiliated and executed to enforce the captor’s will on the people of each of these cities.
The question the enemy is posing is “how do you think you can make it when so many others before you have fallen?” The battle is aimed first at our mind and our faith long before it becomes physical.
In Philippians 1:27-2:8 Paul talks to us about the battleground of the mind. He encourages us to “be at one with the spirit and at one in our soul” [1:27]. Paul encourages us to “considerately bring our opinions together” [2:2] and to be united therefore in mind, in soul and in opinion, with a humble heart that leads to a state of mind that pleases God [2:2-3].
Unity and humility are at the heart of peace with God and our best defence before the enemy of our soul, who wants to sow selfishness, and discord in us individually and communally.
Today, we can choose to focus on our circle of influence and do all we can to stay at peace with ourselves and with others – Romans 12:18 “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all”.
Principle of Change 48 – stay centred each day on God’s promises and God’s ways.
Strength – Command – Be strong, authentic, vulnerable, emotional and direct.