Seize the High Ground

via TJC

 

Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 

The second day of the Battle of Gettysburg provides a decisive lesson for us. When TJC gathered near Little Round Top we saw first hand the advantage that high ground provides in battles. General Sickles was ordered to occupy and defend Little Round Top, but he abandoned his position to pursue what HE thought was higher ground in the Peach Orchard. Sickles' men were slaughtered in the Peach Orchard later that day. Strong Vincent recognized that Sickles was out of position, and moved with urgency to the top of Little Round Top, beating the Confederate advance by minutes. This set up the now famous defense where Col. Joshua Chamberlain repelled multiple waves of Confederate attack, resorting at last to charging down the hill with bayonetts to defend the position when his ammunition ran out. 

Every man has an unoccupied hill in their life. It may be something you have not been paying attention to recently, or something that you are willfully ignoring wishing it would go away. Act with urgency to retake the hill!

We retake the hills in our lives through worship. Worship requires focused attention and sacrifice. When we focus our attention on God and we provide meaningful sacrifices, we are drawn to a position of tactical advantage over our enemies. As Kingdom men, living as if the whole of our lives is being presented as a sacrifice to God is our spiritual worship. We rise to the highest heights by seeking God.

Daily Battle Order:

Identify the unoccupied hill in your life. Where have you left yourself open to attack? What are you neglecting to attend to? Race with urgency to occupy the hill by committing yourself to worship. When faced with enemy attacks trying to pin you down, focus your attention on God. Live as if your every action were a sacrifice pleasing to God and you will always have the high ground.