Whether you’re facing a huge battle in your life or a smaller one, it’s reassuring to know God is fighting for you. How do we know this? Time after time, in scripture, we read how God came through for his people. Sometimes, things got worse before they got better. But there was never a time when God deserted those who loved him. It’s the same today. As followers of Christ, we can rest assured that our Father in Heaven loves us and cares for us. He sent his son to rescue us from our biggest problem: separation from God due to our sins. As God’s children, we know that he is fighting for us in the battles we face. Not convinced yet? Here are some things to consider.
The battle is not yours
In 2 Chronicles 20:15 we read how King Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, is facing one of the biggest battles of his life. He gets word that his arch-enemies are marching toward his kingdom. With a small and ill-prepared army, he knows they are no match for these formidable foes. But King Jehoshaphat has one thing going for him: he trusts God and knows he can save them. So, the king assembles all the citizens of his kingdom, proclaims a fast, and prays, pleading for God’s mercy. In response, a well-known prophet stands up and speaks comforting words from the Lord. He says:
Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. (2 Chronicles 20:15 NIV)
God heard the king and the people’s prayers. He caused the enemy armies to become so confused that they killed one another instead of the people of Judah.
2 Chronicles 20:15 “He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
Psalm 46:10 “He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
1 Samuel 17:47 “And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.”
Exodus 14:13 “But Moses told the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the LORD’s salvation, which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again.”
2 Chronicles 32:8 “With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” So the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.”
Isaiah 54:17 “no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication[a] from me, declares the Lord.”
Psalm 20:1 “May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.”
Zechariah 4:6 “So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.”
The Lord is fighting for you.
So, how does knowing the story of King Jehoshaphat help us get through our daily battles? Reading this story reminds us that God wants to turn to him and ask for help in every battle we face. He wants us to be free from the paralyzing fear that closes our eyes to the truth of God’s love and care for us. Fear is a bully. It tells us the worst-case scenario before anything even happens. It tells us that God doesn’t love us.
Trusting the Lord won’t prevent battles from occurring in our lives, but Jesus will help us face our battles and walk with us as we go through them. God knows how hard life can be and will be with us, taking care of us. Believing this gives us freedom and faith that…the battle is not ours but God’s.
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior”…(Isaiah 43:2-3 NIV)
The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:14 NIV)
Deuteronomy 3:22 “Do not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God Himself will fight for you.”‘
Exodus 15:3 “The LORD is a warrior; The LORD is His name.
Revelation 19:11 “Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war.”
Psalm 24:8 “Who is this King of Glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.”
“But the Lord stands beside me like a great warrior. Before him my persecutors will stumble. They cannot defeat me. They will fail and be thoroughly humiliated. Their dishonor will never be forgotten.” Jeremiah 20:11
“The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.” Habakkuk 3:19
2 Chronicles 32:7 “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged before the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater One with us than with him.”
DID YOU FIND THIS WORD FROM GOD TO BE OF ANY HELP TO YOU?
Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com
PayPal.me/donatetochurch
PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM