Turning Back

“The sons of Ephraim were archers equipped with bows, yet they turned back on the day of battle. They did not keep the covenant of God and refused to walk in His law; they forgot His deeds and His miracles.”—Psalm 78:9–11 NASB

The men of Ephraim were trained for battle and equipped with all the resources they needed. Despite this preparation, they turned back without even engaging the enemy.

The sad thing was that they had everything they needed to succeed. God had given them His promises. They could even look back at their experiences and realize He had been faithful in the past. They could depend on Him to keep His Word. But they chose to ignore this spiritual reality.

The Bible tells us that God had given them His covenant, but they did not keep it. He had given them His Word, but they refused to believe it. They even forgot all the things that He had done for them, including mighty miracles. They turned aside, forgot the promises of God, forgot His deeds in the past, and went their own way.

God wanted future generations to learn from their example and instead learn to walk in faith and face any situation with confidence in Him. We may find ourselves discouraged and feeling hopeless. We may be tired or feel outnumbered.

Today, remember to trust in God. Don’t be dominated by fear or expect defeat. Face opposition with confidence. Always remember that God is with you. Stay confident in Him. Don’t turn back. Always move forward. Trust Him.

Reflection Question: What area of your life do you need courage to face?