Modest Missiles - The One Year Heaven on Earth Devotional

Read: Zechariah 9:9-17

They will destroy and overcome with slingstones. Zechariah 9:15, NIV

IN WORD

As we rest in the strength of God, He rearms us with His kind of weapons. These weapons are like slingshots; they’re dwarfed by Goliath’s sword and scorned by any self-respecting army. But they rely on the power and accuracy of God Himself, deflecting the glory of victory from man to God. As instruments of human warfare, they are completely impotent. In the hands of our Warrior, however, they are powerfully destructive.

Yes, our prayers can destroy the works of the enemy. They can thwart his evil purposes and expose his lies. They are weapons we can use from inside the fortress, where we’re safe and God is on the battlefield. They have the power to cripple evil generals and take captive guerrilla fighters. To the world, they look like kids’ toys, but empowered by God, they can slay giants. There are only two things that can render them impotent: neglect and unbelief.

It’s true; God won’t answer prayers we don’t pray. If we don’t sling the stones He has handed us, they won’t have any effect on the battlefield. Likewise, if we sling them without any belief that they’ll hit a target or that God will empower them, they fall to the ground harmlessly. God uses the warfare of those who can rest in His power and shoot slingshots from the fortress. If we don’t do our part, He may not fight our battles.

IN DEED

How many stones have you flung at the enemy today? Are you using your humble weapon of warfare? Like a boy facing Goliath with five stones, or another boy offering Jesus a few loaves of bread—or even like the humble Messiah riding into town on a donkey—we can trust God to take what’s mundane to us and use it to powerfully change lives. His Kingdom is built on such humility. We can wield our modest weapons with confidence that they are more effective than the high-tech arsenals of our adversary. Our prayers are in God’s hands. No enemy can withstand such an assault.

ADDITIONAL READING: 2 Corinthians 10:3-4

Prayer is a strong wall and fortress of the church; it is a good Christian weapon.

MARTIN LUTHER