In the Word Wednesday: Get Your Strut on, because it’s all about pace Part 4

Today ends our Pace series in Proverbs. You can catch up on Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. But hurry back!

“There are three things which are majestic in pace, yes, four which are stately in walk; A lion, which is mighty among beasts and does not turn away from any; A greyhound, a male goat also, and a king whose troops are with him.” Proverbs 30:29-31 NKJV

Our focus is on a “king whose troops are with him.” In the KJV it reads, “a king against whom there is no rising up” this phrase, “against whom there is no rising up” in Hebrew is “alquwm” and it means “no rebellion, no uprising.”

A king with united troops, is a beautiful and majestic site to see.

When we think of earthly kings, we may consider David and Solomon as great kings. They were, but David’s house was always at war and his troops divided against him. His own son tried to take his life and usurp the throne. Solomon had peace throughout his days, so we don’t see much battle.

There is someone in history that was a great…so great they added it to the end of his name. Alexander the Great. Why was he so incredible? Let’s look at a few details and then the big picture. Obviously this passage isn’t about Alexander the Great–his parents weren’t a twinkle in their parents’ eyes at this point, but I’m going somewhere so hang with me.

Alexander the Great had a few things going for him.
1. He was a brilliant military strategist. His battles are still taught in militaries today.

2. He fought on the front lines with his finest troops. He was willing to die fighting alongside his men. This kind of leadership, brings admiration, respect, gratitude and loyalty. We could all take a lesson here! I’m itching to get on my leadership soap-box. Breathe, Jess.

3. He equipped and took care of his soldiers, paying them full time to fight. By providing for them, it took their focus off of them and onto the battles at hand, which needed all their attention. He also provided them with the necessary tools needed to fight and succeed.

For all Alexander’s faults and odd behaviors, these three things were commendable and admirable.

But not even Alexander the Great can compare to a King who had been fighting on the front lines for His people, as Commander of the Lord’s Army long before Alexander existed. A King who still equips and provides for His troops, even today. The greatest military strategist of all time–His military strategies are also studied and have been copied by armies.

His name isn’t Alexander the Great.

It is Jesus. King of Kings.
Lord of Lords
Immanuel
Angel of the Lord
Highest
Alpha and Omega

This King foretold the falling of Alexander the Great in the book of Daniel. But there is no falling for this King! This King has even defeated death–what other King has done that? This King removed His royal robes to come down in the flesh, to be like us, to experience what we do and still not sin–and to die for His beloved troops.

While He was here, He taught and prepared. He left a war-guide, the Bible. The number one thing He impressed for his army to do in order to be successful in battle is:

To love God and one another

John 13:34; John 15:12, 17; John 13:35; Romans 13:8; Galatians 5:13; 1 Thess 4:9; Hebrews 10:24; 1 Peter 3:8; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 John 3:11; 1 John 3:23; 1 John 4:7; 1 John 4:11; 2 John 1:5

Why is it so important for us to love one another?

A house divided cannot stand. Matthew 12:25

The enemy has a common goal, to destroy us.  The enemy is NOT divided. They work together diligently to bring down the kingdom of God.

Can they win? Not a chance. But they do their best.

Sometimes, we fight against each other and forget who it is we’re really at war with. That’s why there are so many reminders from our King to stand united. Love one another.

Galatians 5:15, “But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another.”

1 Corinthians 12:25-27 says we should weep when others weep and rejoice when others rejoice.

Togetherness. Unity.

When we’re not fighting each other, we’re fighting our King

If a soldier is given a command, it is his duty to follow the order to the letter. There is no hesitating, arguing, or sulking. Remember the movie A Few Good Men? That Private took his orders and did what was asked of him, no questions–why? Because he knew his rank.

“…love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days.” Deuteronomy 30:20 

Obedience can be difficult, but the more time we spend with the King, the more we grow in His Word, we understand that He wants what is best for us. His strategies may seem unclear to us at the time, but He never asked us to fully understand the big picture. He asked us to trust Him.

It’s a beautiful thing, when we work together, love each other and our King, and obey without hesitation. There is nothing we can’t do!

Summary:
1. Know who you are in Christ

2. Serve faithfully

3. Mature as a Christian

4. Obey the King, love one another, be unified.

So what are you up to today? Big plans? Work? Poolside? Cleaning house? All the above? 🙂