Ryan Downing
9/12/08

In sports, when a team loses, usually someone from the team will step forward and offer up an excuse to explain their poor play. People were injured, the refs made terrible calls and on and on. We live in a society where substandard performances are accepted as long as people can offer up a passable excuse.

God does not do excuses though. In fact, he cannot stand them. He expects everyone to give their best effort. Take a look at Deuteronomy 20:5-8. In it, Israel is about to go out to battle and the army is being given instructions on going out their wholehearted. The soldiers are told that if anyone just built a new house, planted a vineyard or was about to get married that they should all go home. In verse 8, we see the reason why. It says, “Is there a man here who is wavering in resolve and afraid? Let him go home right now so that he doesn't infect his fellows with his timidity and cowardly spirit.”

The point of this is that people with new homes, business ventures or relationships will have their mind on other things as they go out to battle. Their focus will be dominated with thoughts of returning safely so much so that they will be ineffective warriors. While they might be on the battlefield, they will not be totally dedicated to the cause of defeating the enemy.

For people like this, God would rather they just go home than to fight halfheartedly and have a negative impact on the outcome. God did not want to hear all their excuses as they returned home in defeat. He only wanted people who were committed to the task at hand to be on the front lines.

As we live our lives, we need to heed this. God is not pleased with people who do not do things with all their heart. When you are at work, be productive. If you volunteer at your church, make sure you are there and serve faithfully. If you are given a task, do it with excellence. God does not want to hear your excuses about why you gave such a poor effort. So come strong and bring your best each and every day