Friday, May 31, 2013

Not my fight!

There comes a time in everyone's life when you have to fight. It doesn't necessarily mean a physical battle but it often feels like it. It could be the fight to live when everything seems to be closing in on you. It could be a fight for your marriage when outside forces have disrupted the normalcy. It could even be a fight for your mind when circumstances say that you should be crazy. Whatever it may be that you have to battle with, The Lord is saying today that He will fight on your behalf. You don't have to draw up the battle plan, or get the other soldiers on your team or buy the weapons. You just have to equip and cover yourself with the instructions He has already given you.

2 Chronicles 20 is a great chapter to remind you that God doesn't need your assistance to fight. The Ammonites and Moabites are coming against the people of Judah and they are ready to fight. The Bible says it was a multitude. That's a lot of people, y'all! Jehoshaphat calls a nationwide fast and then lays down a prayer to get God's attention. He reminds Him of all they know Him to be and ends by saying "O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You." (2 Chron 20:12 NKJV) This is powerful because what Jehoshaphat has done is put everything in God's hands. He knows the size of the battle that is coming but recognizes that they as a people cannot handle it. It's time for us to take the same approach. Stop trying to wage battles that are too big for you. Instead, prepare yourself for the instruction that God will give and be ready to obey. Sometimes it's not what the plan is but your willingness to follow it.

After Jehoshaphat's prayer, the Spirit of The Lord speaks through the priest to the people and gives them the instruction. "Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of The Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for The Lord is with you." (2 Chron. 20:15-17 NKJV) There is so much in this passage but one thing that jumped out at me was the fact that The Lord knew exactly what the enemy was going to do and told them how to position themselves to survive. So often we get so caught up in the enemy that we forget that the creation cannot outwit the Creator. No matter what the devil comes up with, it won't overtake you unless you don't follow instruction. God will position you and then He will fight for you!

What did the people do next? They WORSHIPPED! They praised and they worshipped God after the Word came and when they got up to follow instruction, they went forth again. "Now when they began to sing and to praise, The Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated." (2 Chron. 20:22 NKJV) They destroyed one another! And when Judah saw that everyone was dead and came to get the spoils, there was such an abundance that it took 3 days to get it all. Then they worshipped again! Your worship will equip you and sustain you. If you want to "help" God fight your battles, that's how you do it. You give God your best praise and your best worship. That says to God, "I trust You to handle this fight for me." The other benefit is that you are not in the way of your own victory. When Judah stepped back and gave everything over to God, He was able to position them not only for victory but for abundance.

Life is something and always has something to throw at you but you have a God that will fight for you. Sure, there will be times that He calls upon you to fight, but make sure you follow His battle plan and not yours. God wants you to know that you are not out here alone. He sees and He knows and He will prepare you if you will only listen and obey.

God bless and keep you! Amen...

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