The Battle is Not Ours
King Jehoshaphat was a benevolent king. Oh, don’t you love benevolent leaders! Life is so much better when leaders care about their citizens and do what is best for them. Any way, back to the story. “A great multitude” was coming up against Jehoshaphat and his people. “And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.” Did you see how he handled his fear against his enemies, women? He went immediately to the LORD, then prayed to Him with all of his people. Gather your children and go to the Lord whenever you are in fear. Give all of your cares to the Lord; for He cares for you. Let your children see how you handle fear from an early age.
The king was fearful and said, we have “no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.” As we see our enemies gaining power and encroaching upon our freedoms, God doesn’t want us to fear. He wants us to stand strong in Him! He wants us to keep our eyes upon Him (Colossians 3:1-4).
Then a prophet came and spoke to the people. “Hearken ye…Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” We must always remind ourselves of this fact, women. The battle is not ours. We are in a spiritual battle being waged in the heavenlies (Ephesians 6:12). What is our armor? Look up Ephesians 6:13-18.
Then the prophet said, “Ye shall not need to fight in this battle; set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you…fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the LORD with be with you.” The Lord promises to never leave nor forsake us. Whatever we are to go through, He will be with us. We are to be anxious about nothing, but be thankful instead. His peace with be our stronghold.
The king then “appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth forever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against” the enemies. The enemies then turned towards each other and killed each other. When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoils, they found among them in abundance “both riches…and precious jewels.” The praising of His people is what God used to destroy their enemies. God wants us to be filled with praise to Him too. He doesn’t want us sitting around in fear. He wants us boldly living for Him and praising His name!
Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah and reigned twenty five years “And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not from it, doing that which was right in the sight of the LORD.” (All of this is from 2 Chronicles 20.)
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:19
***Here are verses about fear. Begin to memorize them if you are one to live in fear.
5 thoughts on “The Battle is Not Ours”
Love that comments are available again. The evil left always wants to divide, disunite, and to sow discord and confusion among those who speak truth.
Hello Lori
I am 16 years old. I saw this as the only way to make my request known to you. (I have read your blog for a little while now, and I believe you are sincerely trying to impart sound, godly wisdom to your blog readers, which is why I am coming to you for an answer to this question.)
Anyway, I truly desire to have a relationship with God. I pray everyday, and I try to pray throughout the day (per Ephesians 6:18 among others). However, I feel as if I have a one-way relationship with God. I want to actually have Him speak to me. (Just so you know, I know it will not be audible). I have literally cried night after night begging God to say something to me. It hurts my heart that I cannot hear God, or maybe He isn’t talking to me? I KNOW God talks to people. I always hear my pastor (whom I trust) and people who give testimonies say things such as, “I really feel like God was speaking this to me…” (And God’s voice has been confirmed in real time with the things they have said, especially my pastor.)
I even hear my parents share stories of times where they listened to “the voice of God” and obeyed Him, and they can see now how it turned out for the best. I can see it too.
How come I cannot “hear” God speaking to me? Is there something I am neglecting to do in my personal life? I hate to think of it, but am I not saved?
All wisdom on this subject is much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Taylor
Read the Bible, Taylor. This is how God will speak to you. The Bible is His Word. Read it out loud if you want to hear His Words out loud. All you need for life and godliness are in His Word. As you grow in the wisdom and the knowledge of the Lord, you will grow in discernment and be able to easily spot lies and deceit from Truth. God wants us to hide His Word deeply in our hearts. He wants us to take every thought captive to the obedience of Him. He wants us not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by His Word. His ways are perfect! It’s a wicked generation that looks for a sign, Jesus said as He walked this earth.
Amen Lori, God speaks through his word.
YouTube or Bible apps make it very easy to listen through the Bible as well.