DCLM Daily Manna 2025: DCLM Daily Manna 16 November 2025: The Cost of Wars
Text: Deuteronomy 20:1–9 (KJV)
When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the Lord thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
2 And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people,
3 And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;
4 For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.
5 And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.
6 And what man is he that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not yet eaten of it? let him also go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man eat of it.
7 And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.
8 And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren’s heart faint as well as his heart.
9 And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people that they shall make captains of the armies to lead the people.
KEY VERSE: Deuteronomy 20:1
“When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.”
War is devastating. It drains human lives, destroys resources, destabilises families, and leaves long-term emotional and economic scars. U.S. Army Veteran William Meinert captured this reality vividly when he said that the cost of war is always far greater than the cost of peace—measured not only in money but in ruined and lost lives.
A warplane that could serve peacefully for decades might be destroyed on the first day of battle. A soldier who could have lived a full, productive life may die in the first minutes of conflict or return home physically injured or mentally broken. These are sobering truths that remind us: war is always costly and should be a last resort.
In today’s Scripture passage, God prepared Israel for warfare—not by denying its costs, but by promising His presence. He assured them that they should not fear enemy nations with stronger armies because He would fight for them, just as He did in delivering them from Egypt.
God also appointed priests to strengthen the people spiritually before battle through encouragement, sacrifices, and prayer. Interestingly, God exempted certain categories of people from battle—those preoccupied, newly committed to family responsibilities, or fearful—so that the army would not be weakened by divided hearts or discouraged minds.
Today, believers are not called to physical warfare but to spiritual battles against sin, the flesh, and the forces of darkness. Just as Israel’s victories did not depend on their numbers or weapons, our victory does not depend on human strength but on the God who fights for us.
However, God still expects courage, commitment, and spiritual readiness. Those weighed down by fear, worldliness, or double-mindedness are not fit soldiers in the Lord’s army. The battle of faith requires focus, bravery, and unwavering trust in God’s presence.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Even in spiritual wars, there is still room for gallantry.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Daily Manna 16 November 2025
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