The Battle Is Not Yours

 

And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's. Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”

~2 Chronicles 20:15-17 (emphasis added)

 

 

These are verses I read and prayed numerous times during William's battle with cancer. Even now, when he gets his CT/PET scan every four - six months, (also known as the "mortality reminder") I cling to "Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's... Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”

 

 

Last week one of our friends and a fierce man of God, Jeff, was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. My heart immediately went out to Jeff and also his wife Sherry. The ground comes out from underneath even the most Godly person upon hearing the "c" word.

 

 

The evening before Jeff had his CT/PET scan (that would provide diagnostic information an MRI cannot) I texted him the above verse. His official diagnoses came later that day and a huge weight fell over everyone who knows their family. Prayer chains were started, meal planning began, fundraisers were being brainstormed and Jeff received over 70 visitors and 500 emails the first day! God's people are surrounding this family and holding them up when it is hard to just. keep. going.

 

 

I've been praying 2 Chronicles 20:15-17 this past week and realized, it doesn't apply just to cancer. (Duh.) Each of us has a
battle. Each of us goes to bed with a tomorrow we wish would never come. Each of us is up against a horde.

 

 

I don't know what your battle is. I know many of you are battling for children and the horde you are against is Satan disguised as piles of paperwork and adoption fees and governments near and far. Maybe your battle is cancer. Maybe your battle is a hostile work environment. Or a hostile marriage. Maybe your battle is a grown child who has gone astray. Or a broken friendship.

 

I DO KNOW THIS: The battle is not yours. It is God's.

 

 

I know there are amazing stories, particularly in the OT, of God winning battles on behalf of His people. But this mama is no theologian. I can't retell those stories accurately let alone eloquently. (I should really work on that. Seriously.)

 

 

What I can do is point you to scripture that is clear about Who is fighting your battle.

 

 

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
and I am saved from my enemies.

~Psalm 18:1-3

 

 

Who is this King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle!

~Psalm 24:8

 

 

He redeems my soul in safety
from the battle that I wage,
for many are arrayed against me.

~Psalm 55:18

 

 

I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted,
and will execute justice for the needy.
Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name;
the upright shall dwell in your presence.

~Psalm 140:12 - 13

 

 

Blessed be the Lord, my rock,
who trains my hands for war,
and my fingers for battle;
he is my steadfast love and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield and he in whom I take refuge,
who subdues peoples under me.

~Psalm 144:1 - 2

 

 

The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.

~Exodus 14:14

 

The Lord your God who goes before you will himself fight for you, just as he did for you in Egypt...

~Deuteronomy 1:30

 

You shall not fear them,

for it is the Lord your God who fights for you.

~Deuteronomy 3:22

 

for the Lord your God is he who goes with you

to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.

~Deuteronomy 20:4

 

For thus the Lord said to me,
“As a lion or a young lion growls over his prey,
and when a band of shepherds is called out against him
he is not terrified by their shouting
or daunted at their noise,
so the Lord of hosts will come down
to fight on Mount Zion and on its hill.
Like birds hovering, so the Lord of hosts
will protect Jerusalem;
he will protect and deliver it;
he will spare and rescue it.”

~Isaiah 31:4 - 5

 

 They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you,

for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.”

~Jeremiah 1:19

 

Whew! That was a lot of scripture! It was therapeutic for me to read and I felt led to share all of them here, knowing many of you are tired and weary as well. I hope you are refreshed by these words describing our God:

 

///refuge///strong///mighty///safety///

///executes justice///deliverer///protector///

 

Praise God Deuteronomy 20 verse 4 says he is with us and fights for us TO GIVE US THE VICTORY. BUT, let us not forget Who the victory belongs to:

 

The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but the victory belongs to the Lord.

~Proverbs 21:31 (emphasis added)

 

Ready your horse, draw your sword, and remember when the battle is won, all victory and praise and honor and glory belong to Him who fought the battle for you.

 

Would you please join me in praying for healing for my friend Jeff? He has fought tirelessly on behalf of the fatherless in our community for more than a decade. We know God is able and believe he is willing to heal Jeff completely so he may continue the good work God has laid before him. Thank you!!!

 

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