Battle is the Lord’s

I noticed that I often use the phrase, “one of my favorites” when I am writing about a passage of Scripture. As I started to write that this morning, I began to laugh as I wondered, “how many favorites can I have?”

When reading my Bible, it seems I have many favorites.  Maybe a favorite is simply one that speaks to my spirit at the time. So, as I was reading “one of my favorites” this morning ….

That favorite is found in 2 Chronicles 20. King Jehoshaphat of Judah found himself in a difficult situation when a group of enemies (Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites) came to do battle with him.  Jehoshaphat was afraid, but he resolved to seek the LORD. [vs 3]

When he and the nation finished praying, the LORD sent a promise through a Levite, Jahaziel.  “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast number, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” [vs 15 HCSB]

The next morning Jehoshaphat and the people got up early and went out where the battle would be fought. All that seems pretty normal for Judah until you get to verse 21. That is where the “one of my favorites” enters. Jehoshaphat appointed some to sing for the LORD and some to praise the splendor of His holiness. In other words, the king formed a choir—then sent the choir out in front of the army.  What general sends a choir into battle first?

The choir sang, “Give thanks to the LORD, for His faithful love endures forever,” and the moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set an ambush against the opposition and “they were defeated.” [vs 22]

I do not know what battles you are facing or will face. I do know that in the midst of any battle, it would be well to remember “one of my favorites” and face the battle with shouts of thanksgiving and praise to the LORD.  Remember, “the battle is not yours, but God’s.”

As I wrote yesterday, Pastor Laura at The Way Middleton Church is doing a summer series about David and as she spoke about the removal of Saul as King of Israel (preparing the way for David), I heard a couple things I wanted to share.

“The Battle is the Lord’s!”  God had always dwelt with Israel under the banner “The Battle is the Lord’s.” Saul, however, believed the battle was his, that it was his reputation on the line in winning or losing.  That colored all his decisions and choices. (one of Pastor Laura’s points.)

“The Battle is the Lord’s!”  When I heard that I immediately asked myself if that is how I respond to the threats that often come in life. Or do I respond with fear. After all, fear and its close cousin anxiety are the normal emotions in response to a danger or threat.

The physiological and psychological response to threats and fear is called “Fight or Flight.” It is defined as 1) Fight: facing any perceived threat aggressively, 2) Flight: running away from the danger, 3) Freeze: unable to move or act against a threat, and 4) Fawn: immediately acting to try to please to avoid any conflict.

In the Old Testament, however, there was another way to respond to threats and fear.  It was to “Stand and see.”

Exodus 14:13: “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today.”

1 Samuel 12:16: “Now therefore, stand and see this great thing which the Lord will do before your eyes.”

2 Chronicles 20:17: “Now therefore, stand and see this great thing which the Lord will do before your eyes.”

In the New Testament, Ephesians 6 reminds us to pick up the armor of God and stand in the power of God.  “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

Threats in life produce fear. Fear demands a response. Will we choose “Fight or Flight” or will we choose, “The Battle is the Lord’s” and stand strong in Him?