“So the people of Israel did everything as the LORD had commanded Moses. Each clan and family set up camp and marched under their banners exactly as the LORD had instructed them.”

Numbers 2:34 (NLT)

Like it or not, warfare is a fact of life. I think most of us would rather win a war than lose, but how can we do this? To wage effective warfare requires order, discipline and good soldiers. It’s no wonder that the LORD established military order in Israel while they were journeying through the wilderness. They faced hostile forces on every side. But they were being prepared for when they would cross the Jordan River and face giants and fortified cities. This order and discipline was demonstrated in how God arranged their camp.

Each tribe gathered around their banner (standard) and tribal leader. Three tribes were on each of the four sides of the tabernacle, which was at the center of the congregation. The Levites camped around this since they did the work of the ministry. Blessed is the nation that has God at its center!

Everyone had a function. There were priests, Levites, tribal leaders, soldiers and support. But above all, God was sovereign over all. With such a team, they couldn’t lose!

I cannot help but see parallels in the church.

“For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them…”

Romans 12:4–6 (NKJV)

Christ gives each of us spiritual gifts and a calling that is irrevocable (Romans 11:29). We do not all have the same function. We are assigned different places. But we are all serving in the same army with the Lord Jesus Christ as our Commanding Officer. If we all serve Him well, then how can we lose?

Where has the Lord placed you in His army?

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