The Battle is Not Yours!

Oftentimes, the enemy you are facing appears to be an overwhelming foe. As far as your human eye can see, there is only difficulty, pain, and great loss mounted against you. You see no out. Defeat is imminent. Great loss is all that your tomorrow holds.

The Scripture tells me that a vast army had arrayed against the Jewish nation. The Jews seemed so small and insignificant in comparison to the great number of enemy preparing to overwhelm and destroy them.

Understanding the critical nature of the situation, King “Jehoshaphat was afraid, so he resolved to seek the Lord. So he proclaimed a fast for all Judah, who gathered to seek the Lord. They even came from all the cities of Judah to seek Him” (2 Chronicles 20:3-4 HCSB). Fear gripped the hearts of all the Jews including the king.

Jehoshaphat realized defeat was the only possibility in this situation outside of an intervention by GOD. Maybe you are in a similar situation right now? Health issues, financial crisis, family out of control? Jehoshaphat turned to his only hope—GOD. He got serious and he and the nation began to pray and the LORD responded.

The Scripture tells us that the Spirit of the LORD came upon the priest and declared: “This is what the Lord says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s’” (v.15).

He continued: “You do not have to fight this battle. Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. He is with you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Tomorrow, go out to face them, for the Lord is with you” (v. 17).

As the Jews gathered and headed out to face the battle, the Scripture tells us they had appointed a praise team to lead them out—praising and glorifying GOD. “When they went out in front of the armed forces, they kept singing: Give thanks to the Lord, for His faithful love endures forever. The moment they began their shouts and praises, the Lord set an ambush…and they were defeated” (vv. 21-22).

We are told: “When Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude, and there were corpses lying on the ground; nobody had escaped” (v. 24). But the story doesn’t end there. GOD wasn’t finished. He had a plan for a much greater victory celebration than they could have imagined.

GOD not only provided the victory but He provided a victory celebration. The Scripture says: “They found among them (the enemy) an abundance of goods on the bodies and valuable items. So they stripped them until nobody could carry any more. They were gathering the plunder for three days because there was so much” (v. 25).

GOD’s provision is always much greater than we could ever imagine. Out of His bounty and His great love for you and I flows an abundance of blessings. They faced their enemy with praise and worship unto the only One capable of delivering them from defeat. GOPD came through and delivered them in a way they would have never imagined.

Today, you may be facing impossible odds in your life situations. It’s time to turn your attention to the One who can deliver you. It’s time to pray and trust in Him and then begin to praise and worship Him and wait for the victory that He has in store for you. This battle is not yours, stand back and see the salvation of the LORD!

Scripture Reading: “God, we have heard with our ears- our forefathers have told us- the work You accomplished in their days, in days long ago: to plant them, You drove out the nations with Your hand; to settle them, You crushed the peoples. For they did not take the land by their sword- their arm did not bring them victory- but by Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your face, for You were pleased with them. You are my King, my God, who ordains victories for Jacob. Through You we drive back our foes; through Your name we trample our enemies. For I do not trust in my bow, and my sword does not bring me victory. But You give us victory over our foes and let those who hate us be disgraced. We boast in God all day long; we will praise Your name forever” (Psalm 44:1-7 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father, the odds seem stacked against me. Troubles and problems are overwhelming me. I see nothing but defeat as I look out at my life and where I am right now. I pray for Your help. I ask You, LORD, to step into my problems and issues and circumstances and to bring a great victory. I know that as Your child, You will step in and bring victory for me in all these situations. Please help me. I give You praise, glory and honor in all things for You are the Mighty Warrior, the Victor in all things. I praise You and love…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!