Take care lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them. (Deuteronomy 11:16-17 ESV)
FEAR NOT… THEN BE VIGILANT
Singapore was known as the Gibraltar of the East. Gibraltar was considered an impregnable fortress at the Southern tip of Spain, and in the end, it has still not fallen to any enemy. But Singapore was a different story.
Things seemed to be going well for the British Empire in Asia. Japan had fought on the side of the Allies in the Great War, and while trade disputes did occur, for the most part, Britain faced no powerful enemies in Asia.
And so, the military command relaxed. Other places in the world seemed to require more attention. Other defenses were more important. Money, manpower, and planning focused in Europe and Africa.
And while the more famous Pearl Harbor surprised the United States, the Japanese also attacked the supposedly strong defenses of Singapore. Reportedly, over half of the guard posts in Singapore were unoccupied when the Japanese forces arrived.
When things are going well, we fall away from diligence.
Not only in military terms, but also in our Kingdom wars.
God warns the Israelites that when they would experience God’s blessings, there would be a danger of deception. They would find it easy to neglect those defenses that keep us close to God. And history showed God to be correct.
Our mountaintop experiences, as wonderful as they are, are potentially dangerous. It seems easier to wonder away from God when we are at peace, or enjoying His blessings, or are resting.
Consider your sanctification… we tend to grow more spiritually during trials than during better times. Consider your prayer habits… we tend to pray more honestly and intimately during struggles than during contentment. Consider your worship… we tend to know we need God more when are facing fears than when we are enjoying the benefits of our relationship with Jesus.
Remember Singapore…
Fear not, then be vigilant.