Scripture Reading: Exodus 13:18 But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.

Reflections: God killed all the first born sons of the Egyptians. This brought freedom to the people of Israel. They marched out of Egypt ‘harnessed’ and headed for Canaan, their destined land. The Hebrew word translated ‘harnessed’ is ‘châmûsh”. It means ‘arrayed for battle’. It indicates that the people of Israel though freed were mindful of possible surprise attacks from Egypt or from other neighbouring countries and therefore journeyed in military formation, fully equipped to subdue any attack. Simply put, they were battle ready. As long as you have a destined goal to achieve, you must learn to be battle ready. There are enemies of progress and you do not know when they will choose to strike. Paul puts this in a more profound way when he said we should remain ‘strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might, putting on the whole armour of God, so that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil’ (Ephesians 6:10-11). Be ready for battle at anytime!