Title

How Victories Are Won

Scripture
They run like mighty men, They climb the wall like men of war; every one marches in formation, and they do not break ranks.
(Joel 2:7)
Devotional
Organization matters. Chaos and disorder leads to failures of every kind. For example, “A child left to himself brings his mother shame.” On the other hand, “The rod and rebuke give wisdom.”(1) We serve a God of order. There is order in the universe and in all of creation. Chaos is the result of everyone doing his or her own thing. Deuteronomy 12:8 says, “You shall not at all do as we are doing here today - every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes.”(2)
God demands not only order, but also alignment in His Kingdom. Every army needs a general and every endeavor requires a leader. To win the war of life we must likewise march in formation and not break ranks.
I know that this is contrary to post-modern thought. However, there is no such thing as an independent thinker, or at least a successful one. Mighty warriors dressed for battle, men and women of valor, leaders and those who march in formation and keep ranks win battles.

(1) Proverbs 29:15, (2) Deuteronomy 12:8
Text For The Day
Joel 2:7: They run like mighty men, they climb the wall like men of war; every one marches in formation, and they do not break ranks.
Thought For The Day
“The most incomprehensible thing about the world is that it is comprehensible.” Albert Einstein, (1879-1955) Physicist & Nobel Laureate. 
Questions To Ponder
Morning Study Guide
Defining:  “Marches in Formation” When those in the body of Christ functions in their individual giftedness as a unified body for the sake of Christ and others.
 
Referencing: “Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,” Ephesians 4:1-3.
 
Applying: Walk orderly, obediently, and faithfully. Unified armies win victories, not solo solders.