2 Chronicles 20 describes a time when the “Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to make war on Jehoshaphat.” Jehoshaphat consulted the Lord and God told him that he would not have to fight that battle, God would fight for him. “For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” [v 1, 15 NIV]
That is exactly what happened. Jehoshaphat got up the next morning, gathered the people and set out only to discover that the Moabites, Ammonites, and Menunites ended up fighting each other. All Jehoshaphat had to do was collect the spoil.
David had a different experience. In 1 Samuel 17, David faces Goliath. When challenged by the giant, (described as 9’9”, wearing armor that weighed 125 lbs.), David responded with the fact that “it is not by sword or by spear that the LORD saves, for the battle is the LORD’s. He will hand you over to us.” [v 47-48 CSB]
We all know the story. David whipped out a sling shot and stone and took the giant out. He then used Goliath’s own sword against him, taking his head to display the giant’s demise.
In both instances, the battle was the Lord’s. Both Jehoshaphat and David required the courage to go face their Goliath’s. God worked for Jehoshaphat; God worked through David.
Sometimes we are like Jehoshaphat and only have to collect the spoils; other times, we must be like David and pick out the stones, gather up our slings, and challenge the Goliath’s in our paths. It requires courage, which comes from knowing that “the battle is the LORD’s.” Take courage, beloved, God works for us, and God works through us!
