Digging Deeper

“Jehoshaphat replied, “I am as you are, and my people as your people; we will join you in war.” But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “First seek the counsel of the Lord.” – 2 Chronicles 18:3b-4

There are times in this life when there is no other alternative except “go to the mattresses.” We best know this phrase from the “Godfather” but here is apparently where the phrase comes from and the meaning behind it. In 1530 the combined troops of Charles V and Medici Pope Clement VII lay siege to Florence. The bell tower of San Minaito al Monte was part of the defenses. Michelangelo, as he was good at most things, was put in charge of defending the city. He used the ploy of hanging mattresses on the outside of the tower to minimize damages from cannon fire. Because of the siege, the townspeople would hire soldiers to sleep in their houses and always had extra mattresses in their living rooms near the front door. Everyday that we live, we are going to war about something. Some things are unimportant, some things of eternal importance. The thought of taking to the mattresses is that we take the battle to the enemy…where he lives..in his house..maybe while he sleeps. No I am not talking about your significant other.. the real enemy. Complacency, non-involvement., laziness, busyness, lack of passion for the work of Christ is the real enemy. Oh, yea, let’s talk about Satan! Peter said he stalks around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour; resist him (I Peter 5:8). The bad thing for us is that the lion never sleeps! However, we were not given a spirit of fear but of power, sound mind and get it done attitude courtesy of the Holy Spirit. When you feel that you are losing your nerve, go to the mattresses for the Kingdom of God. We can do this together and then have some fun. I love you guys! You are the best.

Prayer: Lord Almighty, as with your servant Jehoshaphat, let us go to war but never without seeking your counsel…..

by Rick Drake