Friday's devo - War in the gates

Read Judges 5:6-9
"in the days of Shamgar"... Shamgar was a judge before Deborah who had killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad and delivered Israel. His name means: the desolate dragged away. There must have been a lot of fear and unsafety because the people didn't walk on the main highways but took the winding side roads when they traveled. There had ceased to be a real leader till God raised up Deborah. God's people had chosen to follow "new gods" as if God was not enough. When they did this they had war in their gates. Deborah cries out asking if there is a sword or shield in the 40,000 Israelites. She then praises the leaders that rose up to fight.
So what does that mean to us. We don't live in the days of Shamgar... or do we? Do we not see the desolate resorting to drugs, sex, gambling, suicide, divorce, etc. Have we hidden the Jesus in us out of fear and intimidation and not taken him on the main highways of our lives? Have we chosen new gods of fame, fortune, idols, music, sports. When we do we have war in our gates. Our gates are our eyes, ears, mouth. What we allow in our "gates" guide our decisions. If we feast on Miley Sirus we will porbably not make the right decisions about how to dress, walk or talk. Do you have your shield and your sword. The Bible says our shield is our faith. What has our heart? Our sword is the Word of God. It is powerful if you use it.
But, praise God the leaders rose up to fight! That can be the Jesus in YOU! Find just one verse in the Bible that speaks to your situation and use it. You will be amazed at what power God will give you through it. I have a good one for you: Phillipians 4:8 "Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. " God bless your walk today.