Episode 10
The New Christian Podcast
Title:
How to Fight Battles Faithfully
1.
Greetings
Thank you for joining me again this week for episode
10. This is the last in series 1, and we will move onto series 2 next week.
Series 2 will deal with the doctrines of the faith. Who is God, Jesus, the Holy
Spirit, and other topics that we as Christian hold to our faith.
But on to this week’s topic: How to Fight Battles
Faithfully.
When you’re in a battle that seems overwhelming,
remember that the battle is not yours. The battle is the Lord’s. And we need
only read 2 Chronicles 20 to be convinced.
What battle was
raging in Chapter 20?
King Jehoshaphat ruled Judah and, to his credit, had
worked hard to turn Judah back to God. Despite his good and godly work, his
tiny kingdom suddenly faced an unprovoked war against three hostile neighbors
who’d joined together and now surrounded Judah.
“Some men came and
told Jehoshaphat, ‘A vast army is coming against you from Edom. . . it is already in Hazezon Tamar (that is En
Gedi).’” (2 Chron 20:2)
How did Jehoshaphat respond? You would think he might
rally his troops, plan a counterattack, and reinforce the border. Or even
panic.
But he did none of these. Instead, the chapter shows 6
truths when you’re facing a battle.
1) Before
responding, seek God’s guidance.
“Alarmed,
Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all
Judah. (v. 3).
Before any plan was made before he ran to any
counselor, Jehoshaphat sought the Lord.
2) Acknowledge
that God is in control.
“O LORD, God of
our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the
kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can
withstand you.”(v. 5).
The enemies weren’t driving the circumstance. They had
no authority over God’s people. No matter how dire our circumstances, God is
sovereign.
3) Remember God’s
faithfulness and promises.
“O our God, did
you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and
give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived in
it and have built-in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, ‘If calamity comes
upon us, whether the sword or judgment or plague or famine, we will stand in
your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you
in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’” (vv. 5b-9).
Each new trial can cause a new crisis of belief for
us. Remembering how God has already
worked on our behalf bolsters our faith during trials.
In the heat of the battle, whisper to your soul that
God did not take you this far to drop you now.
4) He acknowledged
utter dependence on the Lord.
“’ For we have no
power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do,
but our eyes are upon you.’” (v. 12).
Such a vulnerable place. Was God unaware of their
need? Was He busy with other matters and needed a tug to get his attention?
When circumstances overwhelm us we can think that. But God knew their plight.
And God — who only acts in perfect love — allowed His people to get to a place
of utter dependence on Him.
A place of absolute dependence on God is a good place
to be. It is where we learn to trust God the most, seek God the most and see
God the most. And boy were they about to see God.
“This is what the
LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army.
For the battle is not yours, but God’s.’”
That is THE central truth of this narrative.
We could stop right here and have meat enough to feed
on for days. But let’s keep going because what God does is jaw-dropping.
“Tomorrow march
down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will
find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to
fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance
the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be
discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow and the LORD will be with you.” (v.
16).
The battle was the Lord’s but they didn’t get to stay
home in bed.
In faith, they had to march out, take up positions and
stand firm. But God would deliver beyond their wildest imagination.
5) Worship the
Lord.
“Jehoshaphat bowed
with his face to the ground and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down
in worship before the LORD.” (v. 18)
What had changed? The dark clouds of a gathering enemy
still loomed, but Israel had traded fear for faith, ushering in praise.
6) Thank God for
His goodness before the rescue.
“Early in the morning, they left for the Desert of Tekoa. . . Jehoshaphat appointed men to
sing to the LORD and to praise Him for the splendor of his holiness as they
went out at the head of the army, saying: ‘Give thanks to the LORD, for his
love endures forever.’” (v. 20)
God is Love and no circumstance that will ever exist
on this good earth will change that. Can you even imagine how fragrant the
thanks and praise offered in that hour was to God? Oh, to be men and women that
know and declare that God is good before we ever catch the first glimpse of deliverance.
Now let this next portion play like a movie reel as
the scene unfolds.
v. 27-30 READ
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