AMBUSH DETECTION

Proverbs 2:1-81 My son, if you accept My words and store up My commands withinyou, 2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart tounderstanding, 3 and if you call out for insight and cry aloud forunderstanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search forit as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear ofthe Lord and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord gives wisdom,and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He holdsvictory in store for the upright, He is a shield to those whose walkis blameless, 8 for He guards the course of the just and protectsthe way of His faithful ones.

The surprise attack is one of the oldest and most effective tacticsof war. A hidden force lies in wait and strikes without warning,creating fear and confusion while inflicting maximum casualties onan unsuspecting enemy. According to a New York Times article, modernmilitary forces are spending hundreds of millions of dollars onsurveillance aircraft, sensors, and intelligence gathering in aneffort to keep their troops from being ambushed.

Is it possible for us to avoid being ambushed spiritually? Is therea way to see temptation or discouragement coming and take steps toprotect ourselves? The book of Proverbs is a practical guide we canuse to prepare for the sneak attacks of life. It is written asadvice from a wise father to a son who is moving towardindependence. But it's applicable for anyone wanting to face lifehead-on in the power of God. Throughout Proverbs, the key to victoryis held by God:

"The Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge andunderstanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, He is ashield to those whose walk is blameless" (Proverbs 2:6-7).

The month of August is often a transition period as people go backto school, move, and take new jobs. It's a great time to seek theLord's help in preparing for what's ahead. Here's a suggestion thatcould make a difference. Read Proverbs 9 today. Then, for the next30 days, keep reading the chapter each day that corresponds to thedate until you've read the entire book. When you come across apassage that's challenging or encouraging, make a note, copy thetext, and think it over.

The writer of Proverbs discusses the most common "surprises" of theenemy--pride, money, sex, anger, careless words, fear. Nothing isoff limits.

The Holy Spirit uses the Bible as our early warning device againsttemptation. As we accept God's words and seek His way, we "willunderstand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God"(v.5).

That's ambush detection and life protection. --Dave McCasland

DESTINATION POINTS

* What happens to an ambush when the element of surprise iseliminated?
* When am I most vulnerable to temptation?
* Whom can Iask to join me in reading one chapter of Proverbs every day for thenext month?

LINKS:
Knowing God Through Proverbs
http://www.discoveryseries.org/sb130/

bottom line: Be prepared for Satan's surprises.

soul journey