Topical Bible: Armies: March in Ranks: Confidence In, Vain

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In the biblical context, the concept of armies marching in ranks often symbolizes human strength, organization, and military prowess. However, Scripture frequently underscores the futility of placing ultimate confidence in such human endeavors, emphasizing instead reliance on God.

The Bible provides numerous instances where the might of armies is depicted as impressive yet ultimately insufficient without divine favor. In the Old Testament, the Israelites often faced formidable foes with vast armies. Despite the apparent strength of these adversaries, victory was assured not through superior numbers or military strategy but through faith in God.

One poignant example is found in the account of Gideon. In Judges 7, God reduces Gideon's army from 32,000 to 300 men to ensure that Israel's victory over the Midianites would be attributed to divine intervention rather than human might. This narrative illustrates the principle that reliance on God, rather than on the size or strength of an army, is the true source of victory.

The Psalms also reflect this theme. Psalm 33:16-17 states, "No king is saved by his vast army; no warrior is delivered by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for salvation; even its great strength cannot save." These verses highlight the futility of trusting in military power and the importance of placing one's hope in the Lord.

Similarly, in Isaiah 31:1 , the prophet warns, "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the abundance of chariots and in the multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD." This admonition serves as a reminder that seeking security in military alliances or equipment, rather than in God, is ultimately vain.

The New Testament continues this theme, albeit in a more spiritual context. Ephesians 6:12 reminds believers that "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This passage shifts the focus from physical armies to spiritual battles, emphasizing the need for divine armor and strength.

Throughout Scripture, the message is clear: while armies and military might have their place, they are not the ultimate source of security or victory. True confidence should be placed in God, who is sovereign over all earthly powers.

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Psalm 33:16
There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
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Psalm 44:6
For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.
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Library

Mahanaim: the Two Camps
... any sworded seraphim be seen on our commonplace march, we too have all the armies
of heaven ... No, for their ranks are arrayed around God's children to keep ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/mahanaim the two camps.htm

Bossuet -- the Funeral Sermon on the Death of the Grande Conde
... the two generals and the two armies seemed to ... the young conqueror attempted to break
the ranks of these ... a body of fresh cavalry, hasten his march through the ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/bossuet the funeral sermon.htm

A Nation's Duty in a War for Freedom.
... We saw march forth from our gates the army of a ... of the harmony and love in which
all ranks will be ... done, that there is hardly need of the armies that have ...
/.../schleiermacher/selected sermons of schleiermacher/iii a nations duty in.htm

Christ Triumphant
... See how countless their armies, and how fierce their ... Silently at first he permits
their ranks to break upon him ... Mark the heroes as they march along the golden ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/christ triumphant.htm

Patriotic Hymns.
... it is still sung) was "The President's March," by a ... frequently heard from every fife
in the New England ranks. ... the marching chorus of the Federal armies of the ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter ix patriotic hymns.htm

The Census of Israel
... their armies to fight giant races, and armies versed in ... them, and there they stood
in their ranks, full of ... would have hoped that they all would march to Canaan ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the census of israel.htm

Some Hymns of Great Witnesses.
... Henry Hedge, DD, born in Cambridge, March 1805, a ... morning, with the Bohemian and
Austrian armies of Emperor ... he was kept too busy to enter the singers' ranks. ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter ii some hymns of.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1812 to the Death of ...
... policy of the war, which pervaded all ranks of society ... boasting of the prowess exhibited
by our armies upon the ... "We should have failed in our march through New ...
/.../chapter 2 from the close.htm

Disestablishment
... "A nation without fleets, without armies, with an ... increase of recruits from the Federal
ranks as soon as ... March 26, 1826, and "Episcopalian," March 13, issues ...
/.../chapter xv disestablishment.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... contracted with them fruitful alliances, but Zoroaster broke up their ranks, and
prohibited ... On the march he fell in with a Persian groom named OEbaras,* who ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm