The Battle Is Not Yours

I love this idea, that 'the battle is not ours but God's'. It shows up in 2 Chronicles 20:15 when Judah was about to be attacked by three different armies. King Josaphat assembled the people to seek help from the Lord. Sure enough, pretty soon the spirit of the Lord settled on a man named Jahaziel and he spoke those famous words:

" Thus says the Lord to you, 'Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde' [we could substitute any great trouble] 'for the battle is not yours but God's......You will not need to fight in the battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf.'"

Not only did they not need to fight, they were ordered not to. This was not only salvation from their enemies, it was a very convincing demonstration of God's power and his love for them.

The same idea shows up first in Exodus when Moses leads the people out of Egypt. They become really afraid when they realize that Pharaoah's troops are following them and they cry out in anger to Moses, cursing him for bringing them out of Egypt. But Moses tells them, "Fear not. Stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord which he will work for you today.....The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be still."

This is a huge help to me in so many instances. When I worry about how to handle a certain circumstance and the worry causes strain and stomach ache, I have to remember this concept. I have only to be still and the Lord will fight for me. The battle is not mine, but God's. This is true only, of course, if I let go and let God. I can't try and influence the outcome by praying desperately for the results I want. I can pray, just not desperately. The "being still" is the key. I must surrender to God completely. Turn the problem over to Him and really turn it over. Hand it over and be still.

This technique actually requires practice. I must be so tuned in, so connected, and so yielded to God that I can really use the technique. Faith requires practice. It's like a muscle that needs exercise to become strong. Taking time for prayer and spending time reading the Bible every day is essential, at least for me. It's my exercise routine for the faith muscle.

There are several quotes in the Bible about 'being still' and 'waiting for the Lord' and they give me an enormous amount of peace and quiet strength. Here are a few:

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him (Psalm 37:7)

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! (Psalm 27:14)

Wait for the Lord and keep his way. (Psalm 37:34)

Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)

But they who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

The Lord will fight for you, you have only to be still. (Exodus 13:14)

I'm sure there are lots more. These are some that I often repeat to myself.

I just love the idea of 'being still'. It requires so much faith, and so much trust, it is an incredible feeling when I actually accomplish it. And of course, true to his word, God always does fight for me. And the way the problem is resolved is always some marvelous way that I could never have imagined. So the real bottom line is, by all means let God fight for you, because he knows what you don't.