The Battle Is Not Ours

"...do not be afraid, do not be discouraged go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you" (2 Chronicles 20:17b NIV; italics mine).

Alarming news reached King Jehoshaphats' ears, "a vast army is coming against you" (2 Chronicles 20:2a NIV; italics mine).  Moabites, Ammonites and a few Meunites are coming to make war upon Judah.  This raised an alarm for the king and the people of Judah.  What to do? Trials, struggles, and tribulations come against us like a vast army.  It seems overwhelming and we have not the resources to fight the battle.  As with Jehoshaphat and the little country of Judah, they were no match for the war coming upon them.  Have you ever felt that way?  The recent economy, for many of us, is the battle ground and we do not have the  means to fight the battle effectively.  Possibly there has been a loss of work, your Ammonite; mistakes of the past, your Moabite; unknown forseen others coming against you, the Meunites.  This collective front against you appears as a force greater than you can possibly handle.

Become like King Jehoshaphat, alarmed, yes, then he resolved to inquire of the LORD and fasted.  He and the people of Judah, don't try and do this alone, they came together to seek help from the LORD.  They came from everywhere (vs. 4).  They came before the LORD and sought His help, recalling their faith in Him, remembering all that He has done for them.  Yes, remember the answered prayers for you, all that God has done for you, Have this attitude, "If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us" (2 Chronicles 20:9 NIV; italics mine).  Far too often prayer is the last thing we do, we attempt to "fix" the problem with our own strength.  we go alone, maybe we are embarrassed to ask other believers to come and pray for us.  This account here in 2 Chronicles is so faith building and so enlightening as to how to face our enemies.  Listen to God's answer for Judah, "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 20:15b NIV; italics and bold are mine).  They were given marching orders by God and so are we, He will fight for them and us (vs. 17).  Stand firm, and see, the deliverance of the LORD (vs. 17).  We are not to be afraid or discouraged for the LORD will be with us.

Has God ever asked of you to do something so out of the ordinary, so outrageous, when you are facing your battles?  He is asking of you faith in Him, and then use the most unusual battle plan, seemingly so against all reason to be carried out by you.  King Jehoshaphat sends the choir out in front of the army.  Singing?  A choir in front?  At a time like this?  Yes! For the battle is not ours.  God went out before the army of Judah and fought the battle, and when the men of Judah came to the battlefield all they saw were dead bodies everywhere.  They didn't have to "fire a shot."  In fact, there was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it all (vs. 25). Then came peace for God will give you rest.

We too have the promise of our Savior, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest, (the word rest here is the Greek word "anapausia" which when translated means to rest intensely) take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (the Greek word here "anapausis" when translated means a condition of continual rest) for your souls" (Matthew 11:28a NIV; italics mine).

We have the promises and the examples of what God is willing to do for us.  The battle is not to be fought alone, we have God going before us, it is in faith believing that we move forward against our enemies even when asked to do the unusual thing.  Isn't it great, we are not alone.  Think of it, the God of heaven is on our side.  Give Him your trust and he will give you rest.

Daily Prayer:

Father, forgive my lack of faith, help me to trust you more.  I give to you these battles I am facing: _________, _________, ________; and I ask for wisdom and strngth that I might know what to do and have the fortitude to face the enemy.  I thank you in advance for all that you are about to do.                        Amen