“The battle is the Lord’s.” 1 Samuel 17:47 NIV.
A battle never bravely joined is a battle never won, and an enemy never defeated.
My thoughts and comments today are that “it’s not about you.”
No one is exempt from battles. To do right and be right, you will be challenged and attacked. There is much at stake, eternally at stake. It is important that you be mentally, emotionally and spiritually prepared or you will live in fear and/or defeat. The Old Testament prophet, Samuel, relates the consequential battle between David and Goliath. Read 1 Samuel 17:11/24. Why would battle-seasoned men cower for forty days while Goliath taunted them twice a day, with no response except their dismay and fear? David heard Goliath’s taunt the first time and recognized the real issue. The battle was not about the men on the field; the real battle was about the honor and character of Israel’s God. Read 1 Samuel 17:45-47 NKJV.
If you could see that the spiritual battles you face are not all about you – your victory or failure over some point of obedience and righteousness. The present battle is merely the most recent attempt of your enemy to defeat you through unrelenting taunts and intimidation so that you are afraid to engage him in conflict. This is about your God – whether your God is big enough, strong enough, caring enough, and faithful enough to protect you and give you victory. What do you really believe about God in your heart?
Your enemy is counting on your not resisting; he is planning on your running scared, again. A battle never bravely joined is a battle never won, and an enemy never defeated. David understood what was at stake. The daily taunts would not stop. This enemy would not grow weary and go away quietly. There are battles that simply cannot be ignored. “For You have armed me with strength for the battle; you have subdued under me those who rose up against me.” Psalm 18:37-40 NKJV.
Jehoshaphat, a king of Judah, faced a similar threat. Three armies were gathered against Judah, surrounding and outnumbering them. Read 2 Chronicles 20:1-13. As the King and people sought the Lord and fasted, God spoke through a prophet, “The Lord says to you, do not be afraid nor dismayed . . for the battle is not yours, the battle is the Lord’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:14. The battle is the Lord’s! That simple truth is the difference between your victory or defeat! Don’t be afraid; be encouraged.
If the battle is the Lord’s – the size of the enemy does not matter! Gideon had to learn that uncomfortable lesson when God whittled the size of his already outnumbered army down from 32,000 men to just 300. Listen to God’s reasoning, “The people that are with you are too many for Me to give Midian into your hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself, saying ‘My own hand has saved me.” Judges 7:2. The odds may not be in your favor, but God is. God’s power is not greater with more, nor diminished by few.
If the battle is the Lord’s – your weakness or strength is irrelevant! Zechariah discovered that the battle is won “not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord.” Zechariah 4:6. God taught Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. David understood that the battle with Goliath was not his fight – “The battle is the Lord’s!” The men around David talked only about the giant they saw before them. David spoke only of the Almighty God who was beside him. David saw what they didn’t and refused to think what they did. I suggest that you do the same.
My prayer for you today is that you will have confidence in God and draw courage in every battle.