Wisdom's Corner
Clear Before the Army

In ancient times armies traveled by foot most of the time. When large armies traveled into very rocky areas they needed the way cleared of many of the rocks. When traveling into forested areas they needed trees cut down to make the way clear for them to travel. Sometimes it was some of the soldiers who went ahead and did the clearing. Other times it was civilians that were hired to do it. And sometimes it was slaves who were made to do it.

All this work made it easier for the army to travel. This was very necessary work that had to be done so that the army could go where it was needed. We have instance where the word for this preparation is used in the Bible.

In Philippians 1:12, we read, "But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel." The word for "furtherance" is the greek word for that preparation.

This is the way we should look at the bad things that happen in our lives. Rather than focusing on how bad things are, we should look to see what good can come out of the situation as far as spreading the gospel. We should be looking for the opportunities that come from the things that happen to us. We must remember that others are watching us to see if we really believe in God.

If we handle our problems in this way, we can be assured that God will be pleased. Keep reading your Bible. Learn what God wants you to know. Learn about those who lived in the past and overcame all obstacles. Get courage from them. And if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.

Mark McWhorter

Copyright 2002

Published by The Old Paths Bible School
(http://www.oldpaths.org)