“‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. …You will not need to fight in this battle.’”

                                                                                                        2 Chronicles 20:15b & 17a

 

It’s time to admit we can't do it ourselves...

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Sometimes, it’s just too much to handle. Sometimes the circumstances are just too great. Sometimes there’s just no way we could come out on top. Isn’t it awesome that ALWAYS the battle belongs to the Lord!

 

There are some wonderful accounts in the Bible of how God handled some pretty big battles. He’s pretty creative about it, too.

 

There’s an account of a time when a battle was being waged for the hearts of God’s people. There had been a drought for 3 ½ years and the Israelites were putting their trust in the god, Baal. Elijah (God’s prophet) challenged the prophets of Baal to a “dual” of sorts. Both sides would prepare a sacrifice, and if Baal could set his on fire, then the Israelites would worship him. But if Jehovah lit the fire on His, it would prove He was the One true God, and the people would worship Him. It’s an interesting way to battle, isn’t it? If you don’t know the story, you should read it; God put on quite a display for the victory (Read the story here).

 

Then, of course, there was the battle where the Philistines were intimidating the Israelites who were all cowering behind a hill. Along comes David, a young shepherd boy who sees the battle for what it is. He sees a bunch of bullies making fun of God, and he sees God’s people allowing it out of fear. David faces Goliath with these words: “This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand …that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:46-47 emphasis mine)

 

And then there’s the account in 2 Chronicles 20. Here stand God’s people, again. They are looking at a daunting situation, a multitude of people coming against them. An army so huge, there’s no way they can win. They are looking at annihilation. They cry out to God asking for His fair judgment on the situation and look what He says: “‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. …You will not need to fight in this battle.’” (emphasis mine)

 

WOW! They didn’t even have to fight. They didn’t have to do anything. Elijah had to assemble the altar and gather the wood and prepare the sacrifice. David had to step up to Goliath, pick up a stone and fire it from his sling. But in this story, God told them to stand back and watch. When it was over, the Scripture tells us this: “So when Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; and there were their dead bodies, fallen on the earth. No one had escaped.” God did it; He fought the battle and won!

 

When it seems like we are battling at every turn, we should remember these stories from the Bible to encourage us. Remember, God is the same yesterday, today and forever. These battles were fought long ago, but God hasn’t changed. He’s still in the battle business! If we have a bit of faith and if the outcome is going to bring God glory, look out enemy! “If God is for us, who can be against us?” and “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” God may ask us to do some preparatory work; he may ask us to step up in His name to the fight; or He may just say “sit this one out—just sit back and watch.” However He chooses to do it, the battle is His. We need to find strength and peace in that ☺

 

Reminder: The battle belongs to the Lord!